May 18, 2020
Massachusetts Phased
Economic Reopening
OVERVIEW
The goal of this phased reopening plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is to methodically allow businesses, services, and activities to resume, while avoiding a resurgence of COVID-19 that could overwhelm our healthcare system and erase the progress we’ve made so far.
- Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks and could last longer before moving to the next phase
- If public health data trends are negative, specific industries, regions, and/or the entire Commonwealth may need to return to an earlier phase
- The Commonwealth will partner with industries to draft Sector-Specific Protocols in advance of future phases (example: restaurant specific protocols will be drafted in advance of Phase 2)
- If we all work together to defeat COVID-19, we can proceed through each phase
Please click here to download the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Reopening Report. <–
PHASE I
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
When Can My Businesses Open?
| Category | When you can reopen | Additional comments |
| All businesses deemed essential by previous orders | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Banks | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Financial services | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| In house services (such as nannies, babysitting) | Currently allowed | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Real estate open houses | Currently allowed with restrictions | These businesses will be required to comply with Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and any applicable sector specific safety protocols / best practices by May 25, 2020. |
| Construction | Phase 1 – May 18 | All construction businesses, please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Firearm retailers and shooting ranges | Phase 1 – May 18 | |
| Home remodeling | Phase 1 – May 18 | All construction businesses, please refer to detailed guidance for reopening (includes guidance for remodeling in 1-3 family residences) |
| In home installations | Phase 1 – May 18, construction related
Phase 2 – non construction related |
Construction related – e.g., painting, repairs, etc.
Non construction related – e.g., carpet installation, home theaters, security systems |
| Manufacturing | Phase 1 – May 18 | All manufacturing businesses, please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Places of worship | Phase 1 – May 18 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Auto dealers and wholesalers | Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery only
Phase 2 – browsing inside the showroom with restrictions |
Follow guidelines for non-essential retail and car dealerships found in the Essential Services FAQ |
| Car washes | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Drive-in movie theaters | Phase 1 – May 25 | These businesses must follow Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards. |
| Hair salons / barbershops | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| General office spaces | Phase 1 – May 25 except City of Boston
Phase 1 – June 1 City of Boston
|
Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Lab space | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Libraries | Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery only
Phase 2 – browsing inside the Library with restrictions |
|
| Pet grooming | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Retail (such as clothing stores, toy stores, jewelry stores, nurseries and garden centers that don’t sell food products, adult use cannabis stores) | Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery only
Phase 2 – browsing inside the store with restrictions |
|
| Casinos | Hotel & Restaurants – Phase 2
Gaming area – Phase 3 Theaters / arenas – Phase 3/4 |
Casinos and hotels attached to them should follow the guidelines for each section of the property (e.g. hotel, restaurants, etc.). |
| Driving schools | Currently allowed to offer classroom instruction online
Phase 2 – behind-the-wheel training or observation of another student driver |
RMV developing comprehensive guidance for permit testing, road tests and driving schools |
| Hotels and accommodations (including short-term / private vacation rentals by owner) | Currently open to provide services to essential workers and vulnerable populations.
Phase 2 – reopen to serve other guests with restrictions |
We are actively considering whether additional guidance will be provided to hotels/lodging before Phase 2 |
| Other personal services (such as nail salons, day spas, massage therapy, tattoo parlors, electrolysis studios) | Phase 2 | |
| Restaurants | Phase 1 – can continue to offer takeout and delivery options
Phase 2 – can begin opening dining areas |
We are actively considering whether additional guidance will be provided to restaurants before Phase 2 |
| Amusement parks | TBD – either Phase 3 or 4 | |
| Bars | Phase 3 | Bars are defined as establishments that only serve alcohol and do not have kitchen areas that prepare food on-site. |
| Gyms, fitness studios | Phase 3 | Evaluating earlier opening of personal training and outdoor classes |
| Movie theatres | Phase 3 | |
| Museums | Phase 3 | |
| Performance venues (such as concert halls, theatres)
|
Phase 3 | Large performance venues are an exception and will open in Phase 4 following guidance for other large venues. Some outdoor performance venues may begin opening in Phase 2. |
| Large venues (such as arenas, stadiums, night clubs, race tracks, other sports venues) | Phase 4 | In process of determining what qualifies as a large venue.
Sports without spectators TBD |
| Flight schools | TBD – not Phase 1 | Comprehensive plan is being developed |
Recreation & Outdoors
| Category | When you can reopen | Additional comments |
| Beaches | Currently allowed for transitory activity only, will open for more activities in Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Golf | Currently allowed with restrictions | Continue to follow guidance outlined in the Essential Services FAQ |
| Parks | Currently open, but services/facilities will reopen in Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Fishing, hunting and boating | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Outdoor adventure activities (including ski area summer activities, zip-lines, and mountain biking) | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Outdoor gardens, zoos, reserves and public installations | Phase 1 – May 25 | Please refer to detailed guidance for reopening |
| Other outdoor recreation (such as miniature golf, go karts, batting cages) | Phase 2 | |
| Outdoor performances | Some activities in Phase 2 | |
| Summer camps | Phase 2 – recreational day camps
Phase 3 – residential camps |
|
| Youth sports | Some activities in Phase 2 | |
| Other indoor recreation (such as indoor batting cages, indoor go karts) | Phase 3 | |
| Sightseeing (such as bus tours, duck tours, harbor cruises, whale watching) | Phase 3 | |
| Tours | Phase 3 | |
| Historical sites | TBD – not Phase 1 | Comprehensive tourism plan is being developed |
| Cruise ships | N/A | Operating under federal guidance, No Sail order currently in effect |