A new restriction for restaurants and bars in Massachusetts is on its way due to the sharp increase in COVID cases, while another restriction will make sure people return home soon after finishing dinner.
In today's news conference, Governor Charlie Baker stated that all dining and drinking spots will be required to stop providing table service by 9:30 PM (though they can continue to offer takeout after 9:30), while a stay-at-home advisory is being issued to keep people off the streets between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM unless they need to do such things as go to school, work, the grocery store, the pharmacy, or getting takeout food--or needing emergency medical care. The new interventions will commence at 12:01 AM on Friday, November 6, according to Baker. (All indoor recreation facilities will also need to shut down by 9:30 PM as well, and liquor sales at stores, restaurants, and markets will need to end by that time, too.)
The number of new COVID cases in Massachusetts has steadily increased over the past several weeks, with new cases topping 1,000 daily on a regular basis for the past week and a half.
More information on the new stay-at-home advisory can be seen here.
[November 6 update: According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, an update to the rules allows customers dining in at restaurants and bars to be able to stay until 10:00 PM, though they cannot be served any food or drink after 9:30 PM. (This has been confirmed in a safety standards and checklist page.)]
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]
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