OVERVIEW
The goal of this phased reopening plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is to methodically allow businesses, services, and activities to resume, while avoiding a resurgence of COVID-19 that could overwhelm our healthcare system and erase the progress we’ve made so far.
- Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks and could last longer before moving to the next phase
- If public health data trends are negative, specific industries, regions, and/or the entire Commonwealth may need to return to an earlier phase
- The Commonwealth will partner with industries to draft Sector-Specific Protocols in advance of future phases (example: restaurant specific protocols will be drafted in advance of Phase 2)
- If we all work together to defeat COVID-19, we can proceed through each phase
Please click here to download the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Reopening Report. <–
PHASE I
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
When Can My Businesses Open?
| Category | When you can reopen | Additional comments |
| All businesses deemed essential by previous orders | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Banks | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Financial services | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| In house services (such as nannies, babysitting) | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Real estate open houses | Currently allowed with restrictions | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Construction | Phase 1 – May 18 | All construction businesses, please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Firearm retailers and shooting ranges | Phase 1 – May 18 | |
| Home remodeling | Phase 1 – May 18 | All construction businesses, please refer to detailed guidance for reopening (includes guidance for remodeling in 1-3 family residences) |
| In home installations | Phase 1 – May 18, construction relatedPhase 2 – non construction related | Construction related – e.g., painting, repairs, etc.Non construction related – e.g., carpet installation, home theaters, security systems |
| Manufacturing | Phase 1 – May 18 | All manufacturing businesses, please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Places of worship | Phase 1 – May 18 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Auto dealers and wholesalers | Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery onlyPhase 2 – browsing inside the showroom with restrictions | Follow guidelines for non-essential retail and car dealerships found in the Essential Services FAQ |
| Car washes | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Drive-in movie theaters | Phase 1 – May 25 | These businesses must follow Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards. |
| Hair salons / barbershops | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| General office spaces | Phase 1 – May 25 except City of BostonPhase 1 – June 1 City of Boston
| Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Lab space | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Libraries | Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery onlyPhase 2 – browsing inside the Library with restrictions | |
| Pet grooming | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Retail (such as clothing stores, toy stores, jewelry stores, nurseries and garden centers that don’t sell food products, adult use cannabis stores) | Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery onlyPhase 2 – browsing inside the store with restrictions | |
| Casinos | Hotel & Restaurants – Phase 2Gaming area – Phase 3 Theaters / arenas – Phase 3/4 | Casinos and hotels attached to them should follow the guidelines for each section of the property (e.g. hotel, restaurants, etc.). |
| Driving schools | Currently allowed to offer classroom instruction online Phase 2 – behind-the-wheel training or observation of another student driver | RMV developing comprehensive guidance for permit testing, road tests and driving schools |
| Hotels and accommodations (including short-term / private vacation rentals by owner) | Currently open to provide services to essential workers and vulnerable populations. Phase 2 – reopen to serve other guests with restrictions | We are actively considering whether additional guidance will be provided to hotels/lodging before Phase 2 |
| Other personal services (such as nail salons, day spas, massage therapy, tattoo parlors, electrolysis studios) | Phase 2 | |
| Restaurants | Phase 1 – can continue to offer takeout and delivery optionsPhase 2 – can begin opening dining areas | We are actively considering whether additional guidance will be provided to restaurants before Phase 2 |
| Amusement parks | TBD – either Phase 3 or 4 | |
| Bars | Phase 3 | Bars are defined as establishments that only serve alcohol and do not have kitchen areas that prepare food on-site. |
| Gyms, fitness studios | Phase 3 | Evaluating earlier opening of personal training and outdoor classes |
| Movie theatres | Phase 3 | |
| Museums | Phase 3 | |
| Performance venues (such as concert halls, theatres) | Phase 3 | Large performance venues are an exception and will open in Phase 4 following guidance for other large venues. Some outdoor performance venues may begin opening in Phase 2. |
| Large venues (such as arenas, stadiums, night clubs, race tracks, other sports venues) | Phase 4 | In process of determining what qualifies as a large venue. Sports without spectators TBD |
| Flight schools | TBD – not Phase 1 | Comprehensive plan is being developed |
Recreation & Outdoors
| Category | When you can reopen | Additional comments |
| Beaches | Currently allowed for transitory activity only, will open for more activities in Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Golf | Currently allowed with restrictions | Continue to follow guidance outlined in the Essential Services FAQ |
| Parks | Currently open, but services/facilities will reopen in Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Fishing, hunting and boating | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Outdoor adventure activities (including ski area summer activities, zip-lines, and mountain biking) | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Outdoor gardens, zoos, reserves and public installations | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Other outdoor recreation (such as miniature golf, go karts, batting cages) | Phase 2 | |
| Outdoor performances | Some activities in Phase 2 | |
| Summer camps | Phase 2 – recreational day campsPhase 3 – residential camps | |
| Youth sports | Some activities in Phase 2 | |
| Other indoor recreation (such as indoor batting cages, indoor go karts) | Phase 3 | |
| Sightseeing (such as bus tours, duck tours, harbor cruises, whale watching) | Phase 3 | |
| Tours | Phase 3 | |
| Historical sites | TBD – not Phase 1 | Comprehensive tourism plan is being developed |
| Cruise ships | N/A | Operating under federal guidance, No Sail order currently in effect |