COVID-19 in Boston Updates
Dear Friend,
I’m writing to provide the most recent update to Boston’s COVID-19 guidelines. As many of you know, last week the City joined the state and moved into Phase 3, Step 2 of the Reopening Massachusetts Plan, with a few exceptions. Our Boston Public Schools welcomed more students back into school buildings for in person learning and there was an exciting update about vaccine eligibility updates for teachers, school staff, and early educators.
I have provided some highlighted key updates below, with more detailed information further down in this email. As always, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 617-635-4205, or Michael.Flaherty@Boston.gov.
Best,
Michael
REOPENING PHASE 3 STEP 2:
As of Monday, 3/1/21, Boston has moved with the Commonwealth into Phase 3, Step 2 of the Massachusetts Reopening Plan. This plan is modified, with the following exceptions:
- Indoor performance venues and indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact will remain closed until March 22.
- In Boston, the City will not allow live musical performances in restaurants until March 22.
Look below for further details about what this phase means for Boston residents.
VACCINE UPDATE FOR EDUCATORS:
Governor Baker announced that, beginning this Thursday, March 11, teachers, early educators, and school staff will be eligible to sign up for vaccine appointments.
CVS has already added this group to their vaccine eligibility list, meaning that vaccination appointments will be offered through the pharmacy, in addition to other vaccination sites.
To read more about what this new directive entails, you can read the Governor’s press release here.
REOPENING BPS:
Last week Boston Public Schools welcomed back students in grades K0-3 for in person learning. All students are eligible for two days of instruction per week. For full details about the BPS Reopening Plan, please visit the Boston Public School website by clicking here. Thank you to the entire school community that made this return to in person learning possible.
There is more information on these topics below.
Reopening Updates:
Phase 3, Step 2 Details:
- Indoor performance venues can reopen at 50% capacity, with a 500 person max. This includes concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance spaces. In Boston, this portion of the reopening plan will not go into effect until March 22nd.
- Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact (laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, obstacle courses) can open at 50% capacity. This also will not go into effect in Boston until March 22nd.
- Capacity limits across all sectors with capacity limits will be raised to 50%. This excludes employees.
- Capacity limits on restaurants will be lifted; the 6-feet requirement between tables, the max of 6 people per table, and the 90 minute time limit on tables all stay enforced.
- You can read more about restaurants during Phase 3 in the Licensing Board’s advisory here.
- Live entertainment in Boston restaurants is not allowed until March 22nd
- Food courts remain closed.
Phase 4 of reopening is anticipated to begin on March 22nd, and will include the reopening of large event venues with capacity limits and will raise the capacity limits on indoor and outdoor public gatherings. We will provide more details on this phase as we get closer to the date and details are finalized.
Vaccine Updates:
Vaccine Rollout & Facts:
- The vaccine is safe, effective, and free. If you have questions or concerns about the safety of the vaccine, please visit the Massachusetts “Trust the Facts: Get the Vax” webpage, which details how the vaccine was made, how it works, and what to expect when you receive it
- We are currently in Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout process
- Right now, Group 1 (individuals aged 75+) and Group 2 (Individuals age 65+, individuals with 2+ certain medical conditions, and/or residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing) are eligible to sign up for a vaccine appointment
- As part of a national focus on vaccinating our educators, this Thursday, March 11th, the first wave of Group 3 members will become eligible for the vaccine. This wave includes all K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff. You can read more about this update here
- Remember: It is anticipated that it will take 4-6 weeks for those currently eligible to receive their vaccinations before the eligibility is expanded further. You can check your eligibility, or sign up for the vaccine, here
- If you have further questions about your eligibility or when you can get the vaccine, contact your primary care provider
Vaccine Hotline:
Vaccine locations:
- Local vaccination sites, sponsored by Boston Medical Center, include the Menino YMCA in Hyde Park, Morning Start Baptist Church in Mattapan, the Russell Auditorium on Talbot Ave in Dorchester, Boston Medical Center in downtown Boston, and 17 Corinth St in Roslindale. More information on these sites can be found here.
- You can find additional sites and book an appointment at vaxfinder.mass.gov. This lists sites both within and outside of Boston, and include the state-run MassVax sites like Fenway Park, and the Reggie Lewis Track and Rec Center, Florian Hall in Dorchester, and a number of community health centers and pharmacies authorized to distribute the vaccine.
Click on the image for more information
Reminders & Resources
As a reminder, the following orders/advisories are still in effect:
- Face covering order: All residents must now wear a face covering in all public places, regardless or whether or not a six-foot social distance can be maintained. Any residents who are excused from wearing face masks due to a medical or disabling condition are allowed to do so, but employers and schools with in-person learners are now allowed to ask for proof of such conditions. This includes everyone over the age of 5 wearing a mask on any MBTA train.
- Travel order: All visitors and residents returning to Massachusetts must complete a Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless returning from a state that has been deemed lower risk by the Department of Public Health. A list of those states can be found here.
Resources:
The City has a variety of resources guides available to residents to help navigate this extraordinarily difficult time, ranging from help with food access, assistance to small businesses, and internet and technology assistance. For a list of meal sites and food resources click here. If you or someone you know is struggling with housing, click here. There are resources available for homeowners, renters and those struggling with homelessness.
In addition to these resources, the City recently launched their Financial Navigator Program designed to help residents deal with the financial stress brought on by the pandemic by helping you get access to the resources and services you may need and help you make a plan. You can access the trained Financial Navigators by completing a form available on ofe.boston.gov or call 617-356-8229. Financial Navigators are able to provide help in English, Haitian Creole, Spanish and Portuguese.
If you have any questions on these restrictions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 617-635-4205, or to send me an email at Michael.Flaherty@Boston.gov.
The Flaherty Committee
PO Box 122
Boston, MA 02127
United States
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