Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker had some good news for businesses in announcing adjustments to the state’s reopening plan after COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue a downward trend.
Monday, Jan. 25, the stay at home order that required businesses to close by 9 p.m. will be lifted. Businesses, including restaurants and gyms, liquor stores, adult cannabis use retail establishments and gyms, can remain open past 9:30 a.m. The curfew had been in place since Nov. 20, 2020.
However, all businesses will still be restricted to 25 percent capacity until Monday, Feb. 8, at 5 a.m. Restaurants have been restricted to 25 percent capacity since November.
Baker also announced a new round of assistance to small businesses via 638 grants, totaling $37.5 million from the Mass Growth Capital Corp. grant program. Nearly 200 of the businesses receiving grants are restaurants. The program was created to assist small businesses that struggled during the pandemic, especially restaurants and indoor entertainment venues.
A total of $232 million has been invested to provide assistance the hardest hit sectors of the economy, from the Mass Growth Capital Corp. fund, representing 5,000 small businesses.
The adjustments to the state’s reopening plan were based on metrics including the number of hospitalizations and positive COVID tests, both of which have increased in recent weeks.
“We’re building a big vaccination infrastructure, Baker said, noting that a vaccination site was due to open soon at Gillette Stadium.
For more COVID-19 guidelines and vaccine information, go to mass.gov
