New Measures Go Into Effect Saturday, Dec. 26
MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail and the Marion Board of Health wish to share with the community information about the further measures announced by the Baker-Polito Administration to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Along with the following new measures, residents are reminded that face coverings that cover the mouth and nose are required in all public places, even if 6 feet of social distance can be maintained.
The new executive order announced on Tuesday, Dec. 22 temporarily reduces occupancy limits to 25% for several sectors including office spaces, restaurants, places of worship, businesses and fitness centers. The order also temporarily reduces the number of people permitted to attend indoor and outdoor functions at event venues, and at outdoor performance venues.
The new measures are effective beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26 and will remain in effect until noon on Jan. 10, 2021.
Changes made by the new, temporary order include:
- Office spaces must reduce their capacity to 25%
- A reduction of occupancy levels from 40% to 25% in restaurants, places of worship, retail businesses, common areas in lodging establishments, driving and flight schools, fitness centers and health clubs, close contact personal services, libraries, arcades, indoor and outdoor recreation businesses, museums, cultural and historical facilities, guided tours, movie theaters (a maximum of 50 people will be allowed per theater), casinos and indoor golf facilities.
- Employees and staff at restaurants, personal services, places of worship and retail businesses do not count toward the overall occupancy limit.
All other rules and restrictions in each sector-specific guidance will remain in effect.
Indoor gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people at a time. Outdoor event venues will be limited to a maximum of 25 people at a time. Outdoor performance venues remain at a 25% occupancy limit, but the maximum number of people permitted at such venues will be reduced to 25 from 50. The gatherings limit applies to private homes, event venues and public spaces.
The Department of Public Health also advised hospitals to postpone or cancel all nonessential inpatient elective invasive procedures to preserve their inpatient capacity. However, everyone is reminded to continue to seek necessary care from their hospital or health care provider.
Additional information on the new temporary restrictions can be found here.
###