As of March 1, restaurants in Massachusetts will no longer be subject to percentage-based capacity limits, as the state enters Phase 3, Step 2 of its reopening plan. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the news in his February 25 press briefing. Restaurants will also be allowed to host musical performances.
The course change eases restrictions that were put in place on February 8 that capped restaurant capacities at 40 percent. (Capacities had been capped at 25 percent before that.) Other restrictions will remain in place, including current rules around masking everyone must wear a mask at all times unless they are in the act of eating or drinking, or unless they are unable to due to a medical condition or disability and social distancing all tables must be placed at least six feet apart. All seated table service will still be limited to 90 minutes, and party size will still be capped at six diners.
JM Leach
As of today, February 8, at 5 a.m., restaurants in Massachusetts can officially operate at 40 percent capacity. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the news in his February 4 press briefing. The course change eases restrictions that were put in place on December 26, 2020 that capped restaurant capacities at 25 percent.
Baker cited encouraging trends in public health data as the reason for dialing back restrictions for restaurants and other small business.
“Hospitalizations are down 33 percent since they peaked in January,” said Gov. Baker on Feb. 4. “And the seven day average of cases is also down by about 53 percent since its peak, from 6,120 down to 3,274.”