Residents excited and scared about lifting of pandemic restrictions By Travis Andersen, Emily Sweeney and Charlie McKenna Globe Staff and Globe Correspondent,Updated May 18, 2021, 3:58 p.m. Email to a Friend Kristi Bates paid waitress Katie Hunt for her coffee. At the Littleton Cafe, customers spoke to the Globe about mask restrictions being lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with most expressing a mix of fear and excitement.Lane Turner/Globe Staff Governor Charlie Bakerâs announcement that Massachusetts will lift all pandemic-era restrictions on May 29 had residents in Boston and Littleton reacting with a mix of excitement and fear on Tuesday.