BRAINTREE — Mayor Charles C. Kokoros and the Braintree Board of Health are pleased to announce that the Town of Braintree will soon enter Phase 3, Step 2 of Governor Charlie Baker’s four-phase approach for reopening the state.
Following Governor Baker’s announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Town of Braintree will be allowed to enter “step two” of the third phase of the state’s reopening plan on Monday, October 5, allowing additional industries and sectors to resume or expand operations that day.
The Town of Braintree is considered to be a lower risk community by the state, which means we have not been a “red” community in any of the last three weekly Department of Public Health (DPH) reports.
As a result, industries can expand their operations according to the the following industry-specific restrictions that must be followed in Phase 3 Step 2:
- Indoor performance venues will be permitted to open with 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 people.
- Outdoor performance venue capacity will increase to 50% with a max of 250 people.
- Arcades and indoor and outdoor recreational businesses with activities such as trampolines, obstacle courses, roller rinks and laser tag will also be permitted to open and capacity will increase to 50%.
- Fitting rooms will be permitted to open in all types of retail stores.
- Gyms, museums, libraries and driving and flight schools will also be permitted to increase their capacity to 50%.
The State’s decision to move forward with Phase 3, Step 2 reopenings was in part due to the positive trend of COVID-19 case data. Public health officials will continue to monitor COVID-19 case data in the state daily, and the data will serve as a guide for progressing through additional phases of the reopening plan. Should there be a significant increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, state officials will order the return to the prior phase.
“I am excited to move into Phase 3, Step 2 and allow businesses to expand their operations, but ask everyone to remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19,” says Mayor Kokoros. “By continuing to work together by staying apart, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, we can do our part in stopping the spread of the virus and move forward in a positive way.”
Residents are asked to continue to adhere to the following steps to help prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
- Wear a face mask or cloth face covering when social distancing is hard to maintain.
- Practice social distancing at all times by remaining 6 feet away from others when you must leave your home for trips to open businesses or facilities.
- Wash your hands, and clean and disinfect all high touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
- Stay home if you’re sick and avoid close contact with others.
- If symptoms persist, residents are urged to get tested. If a positive test result occurs, follow 14 days of self-quarantine from the date of positive result.
Braintree residents with questions may additionally contact the Braintree Health Division at 781-794-8090.
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