Earlier this month, Governor Charlie Baker gave the green light for Phase 2 of the reopening of the Massachusetts economy, and now he has announced a date for the next part of the phase, which, like the first part, will help restaurants in their reopening plans.In his press conference today, Governor Baker said that Step 2 of Phase 2 will commence on Monday, June 22, with this step allowing dining spots to open indoor dining areas, though with a number of restrictions in areas such as social distancing, hygiene protocols, safety and operations, and cleaning and disinfecting (see guidance/safety standards link below). The first part of Phase 2 had allowed restaurants in the state to open outdoor dining areas, which led to many places scrambling to set up patios and decks for the first time ever.
As mentioned earlier, bars with kitchens along with breweries, wineries, and beer gardens that provide seated food service can also open their indoor areas, though any such spots with no kitchen and/or seated food service will have to wait until Phase 4.
Each of the first three phases of the reopening plan lasts for at least three weeks, so if all goes well, Phase 3--which currently does not affect restaurants--could begin as early as Monday, June 29, though Phase 4 might not begin for a long time because it is based on the development of vaccines and/or treatments that would allow for the resumption of the "new normal."
More information on Step 2 of Phase 2 can be found here.
[Earlier Article]
Phase 2 of Reopening Plan for Massachusetts to Begin Monday; Outdoor Dining Spaces Allowed to Open
The Baker Administration Releases Guidance/Safety Standards for Massachusetts Restaurants
Guidelines Set in Place for Reopening of Beer Gardens, Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries in Massachusetts
The Uncertainty of Phase 4 and How It Creates a Nightmarish Situation for Certain Bars and Clubs in Massachusetts
by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)
[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
