Governor announces Phase 2 of reopening will begin June 8

Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announce the upcoming transition to Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan at a State House press conference on June 6. (Photo courtesy Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office)

Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced today that Phase 2 of the reopening of the Massachusetts economy will begin on Monday, June 8.

Phase 2 will be divided into two parts. Businesses and activities that may resume on June 8, following strict state guidance and health protocols, include the following: in-store retail sales (with occupancy limits); child care and summer camp (see guidelines); outdoor dining at restaurants; hotel, motel and short-term lodging facilities; youth and adult amateur sports activities (with guidance); outdoor recreation (with guidance).

Depending on health data, the second part of Phase 2 will allow indoor dining at restaurants (with limits), and close-contact personal services such as nail and skin care, massage therapy, tattooing and others, all with strict conditions. The start date for the second part of Phase 2 has not yet been determined.

The governor also updated his executive order regulating gatherings. In general, gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited, except as they are allowed to accommodate the business and social activity as regulated in Phase 2.

• Link to the press release summarizing the Phase 2 announcement

• Link to the Gov. Baker’s Phase 2 Executive Order

• Link to the revised Executive Order on gatherings

The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development has posted sector-specific requirements, guidelines and best practices for the full range of business activities.

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has posted requirements, guidelines and best practices for outdoor activity and sports, including those operated by cities and towns or on municipal property.

The following businesses are eligible to reopen on June 8 (Step One of Phase 2), with contingencies:
• Retail, with occupancy limits
• Child care facilities and day camps, with detailed guidance
• Restaurants, outdoor table service only
• Hotels and other lodgings – no events, functions or meetings
• Warehouses and distribution centers
• Personal services without close physical contact, such as home cleaning, photography, window washing, career coaching and education tutoring
• Post-secondary, higher education, vocational-tech and occupation schools, for the purpose of completing graduation requirements
• Youth and adult amateur sports, with detailed guidance
• Outdoor recreation facilities
• Professional sports practices, no games or public admissions
• Non-athletic youth instructional classes in arts, education or life skills and in groups of less than 10
• Driving and flight schools
• Outdoor historical spaces – no functions, gatherings or guided tours
• Funeral homes, with occupancy limits

The following businesses will be eligible reopen in Step Two of Phase 2, at a date to be determined:
• Indoor table service at restaurants
• Close-contact personal services, with restrictions, including hair removal and replacement; nail care; skin care; massage therapy; makeup salons and makeup application services; tanning salons; tattoo, piercing and body art services
• Personal training, with restrictions