Massachusetts reported 2,982 new confirmed coronavirus cases and an additional 74 deaths on Friday, when the number of estimated active cases dipped below.
Massachusetts reported 2,602 new confirmed coronavirus cases and an additional 74 deaths on Thursday. There have now been 507,166 confirmed cases and 14,489.
Baker to Ease Capacity Limits on Restaurants, Gyms, Other Businesses
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
Gov. Charlie Baker announced he will ease capacity limits on Massachusetts restaurants, gyms and other businesses effective Monday.
Baker said he will increase the 25% capacity limit to 40% effective at 5 a.m. Monday based on recent declines in coronavirus hospitalizations and case counts. The 25% capacity limit has been in place since Dec. 26.
When the stricter capacity limits were announced, the seven-day average positive test rate was 5.94% and 1,991 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. As of Wednesday, the positivity rate was 3.3% and 1,635 people were in hospitals for COVID-19 care. Baker said the state has seen positive trends in COVID-19 metrics since 2021 began.
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Since late November, Hawaii has been the only state that Massachusetts residents can travel to without having to quarantine for 14 days or else test out of quarantine restrictions upon their return.
On Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that he was easing capacity restrictions on restaurants, gyms and other businesses due to the progress that has been made in several key coronavirus metrics in recent weeks. Gov. Charlie Baker increasing capacity limit for restaurants, gyms and other Mass. businesses from 25% to 40% starting Monday morning.
When new states are added, the travel order typically gets updated on Fridays. But Baker indicated Thursday that he may not be ready to make any changes yet, at least not without coordinating with other area states first.