Governor Charlie Baker says he will ease capacity limits on Boston, Massachusetts restaurants, gyms, and other businesses effective Monday, February 8th.
Governor Charlie Baker Increases Capacity Limits
The 25% capacity limit to 40% will be effective at 5 a.m. on Monday. Baker says he based the most recent declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations and case counts. Since December 26th, the 25% capacity limit is in place.
Moreover, the seven-day average positive test rate was 5.94%. 1,991 COVID-19 patients were in the hospital. There were strict capacity limits. The positivity rate was 3.3% and 1,635 were in hospitals for COVID-19 care as of Wednesday. Since 2021, Baker said the state has to see “positive trends” in COVID-19 metrics.
Governor Charlie Baker says the Public Deserves Credit for COVID-19 Numbers Dropping
Therefore, we just need to keep the restrictions up for a few more months. The people’s work is paying off on this one, Baker said.
Step 1 of its reopening plan, the state will remain in Phase 3, according to Baker. That means indoor performance venues and indoor recreational businesses will stay closed until further improvements in the COVID-19 metrics.
In fact, indoor gathering will continue on to be restricting to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at 25 people.
Making Progress Against COVID-19
Therefore, for employees and individuals, we know that these restrictions have been and continue to be enormously difficult for large and small businesses. However, we are making progress in this battle against COVID-19. Everyone’s persistent hard work and preparation is now making it possible for us to continue to step back to what we might call a new normal, Baker said. Those are fighting words, Governor Baker! No bueno to the “new normal.” It sounds like a code word for the “Great Reset.”
Baker gave short remarks after touring the Bentley Academy Innovation School in Salem on Thursday.
Pushing for More In-Person Learning
Pushing for more schools to provide in-person learning, the governor cites Bentley Academy as a positive example. He did in fact stress that almost all of the research that has been done shows that schools are not spreads. I don’t like that terminology one bit! Add Super and I’ll go off and off the deep end!