Governor Baker has given the green light for Phase 2- Step 1 to begin on Monday June 8th. Businesses in Phase 2 can reopen their locations to employees, customers and the public if they meet all imposed requirements. The State provided many resources to help guide businesses as they move forward. Following, you will find these to assist you.

Note that on Friday, the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020 was passed. Read more for a summary of the amendments.
 
If you are looking for something specific to help you during this transition, reach out to us, and we would be happy to try and assist.
MA Reopening Plan and Business Tools
  • There are four phases to the plan - "Start," "Cautious," "Vigilant," and "New Normal"

  • Each phase will last at least three weeks each

  • Progression between the phases will be determined by state officials and will be based on health metrics such as decrease of new COVID-19 cases, the decrease of hospitalization rates, and the increase of testing capacity.
May 18th : Essential employers, manufacturing, construction, and houses of worship are permitted to reopen with certain restrictions and capacity limitations.

May 25th: Lab space, office space (with the exception of office space in the City of Boston), hair salons/barber shops, car washes, pet grooming, limited retail operations, and other specific types of businesses

June 1s t: office space in Boston is permitted to open
June 8th: Phase 2 Step 1
Retail stores, restaurants (outdoor dining), hotels, warehouses, day-care centers and other identified businesses
Date TBD: Phase 2 Step 2
Indoor dining, and close contact personal services (nail service, massage therapy, personal training, tattoo, piercing and body art)!"
Businesses in Phase 3 & 4 must keep their premise closed to workers, customers and the public except 'to perform critical tasks that cannot be conducted remotely, such as ensuring on-going property maintenance, preservation of inventory and equipment, and compliance with legal obligations'
To find out what businesses can reopen in each phase. Review list or visit When can my business reopen?
Re-opening Requirements
All businesses must comply with the following, as well as the safety standards of their specific industry:

  • Bring the workplace in full compliance with all general COVID-19 workplace safety rules and all 'sector-specific rules'

  • Complete the required self-certification to verify compliance with all general and 'sector-specific rules' and make this certificate available for inspection upon request by State or Local authorities.

  • Post on the premise all public notices and advisories that are required to be disciplined by the COVID-19 order.
RETAIL
Retail stores can transition from curbside pickup and deliver-only to browsing and in-store transactions. They will need to limit occupancy to the greater of : 8 people, including their staff, per 1000 sq. feet of their space or 40% of their maximum permitted occupancy.

RESTAURANTS
Restaurants can provide outdoor dining service with certain restrictions.

Ballrooms, meeting rooms, function halls, and all indoor/outdoor event facilities must remain closed.

LODGING 
Lodging facilities can not host weddings, business events, or any kind of organized gatherings.

When a reservation is made and at check-in, they must urge guests traveling from out of state to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Owners of short-term home or apartment rentals are required to comply with all hygiene standards including cleaning requirements and minimum periods of time separating rentals.

CHILDCARE
Child-care facilities, recreational summer camps and youth programs can reopen but must first submit plans with the Dept. of Early Education and Care. These plans must detail health and safety protocols, including for food and transportation services. Grous are limited to 12 people (including 2 adults) with no intermingling between groups.

ALL OTHER NON DEFINED BUSINESSES
For any busies allowed to open in Phase 2 but specific industry standards were not released, the following must be followed:

COMING IN STEP 2 - CLOSE CONTACT PERSONAL SERVICE 
To review all mandatory safety standards and recommended best practices released for Close Contact Personal Service businesses in Step 2 of Phase 2 visit website
Following are documents provided by the State to use for compliance:
  • COVID-19 control plan template – Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification
  • Compliance attestation poster – Poster that customer facing businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors
  • Employer and Worker posters – Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting
Purchasing Hygienic or Protective Supplies for the Workplace
The State also provided resources to help inform employers and employees about supplies needed to return to workplaces, and connect businesses with manufacturers and distributors. In order to operate in Reopening Phase 1 and all future phases, certain supplies are required. Visit the website to review
For all prior COVID-19 Email Communications, visit our website
If it matters to you, it matters to us!

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