COVID-19 LOCAL UPDATES

Phase IV, Step 1 of Re-opening Massachusetts (effective March 22, 2021)

Travel Advisory

 Effective Monday, March 22, the Massachusetts Travel Order will be replaced with a Travel Advisory. 

As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. 

Travelers are exempt from this advisory if they have a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts.  If not obtained before entry to Massachusetts, a test may be obtained after arrival, as long as travelers quarantine until a negative test result has been received.

Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after an absence of fewer than 24 hours is exempt from this advisory.

Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) are exempt from this advisory while they are commuting to or from or while at work.

Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms are exempt from this advisory.

Travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid1...

https://www.mass.gov/alerts/travel-order-notice

Phase IV, Step 1 and Gathering Changes:

Effective Monday, March 22, all communities in Massachusetts will move into Step 1 of Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan. This will open a range of previously closed business sectors under tight capacity restrictions that are expected to be adjusted over time if favorable trends in the public health data continue. Effective on the planned advancement to Step 1 of Phase IV, the following large capacity sports and entertainment venues will be permitted to operate at a strict 12% capacity limit after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health (DPH):

• Indoor and outdoor stadiums
• Arenas
• Ballparks

Also effective on March 22, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people.

Additionally, dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only, and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. Exhibition and convention halls may also begin to operate, following gatherings limits and event protocols. Other Phase IV sectors must continue to remain closed.

Vaccination Updates:

 Timeline for remaining groups: mass.gov/COVIDVaccinePhases

March 22nd: Residents 60+ and certain workers

April 5th: Residents 55+ and residents with one certain medical condition

April 19th: General public ages 16 years of age and older

All residents should preregister to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.

Appointments will be offered based on eligibility and available appointments nearby.

If you wish to get a vaccine at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital please make your appointment directly on the MV Hospital website: https://mvhospital.org/patients_and_visitor/covid-19-updates/

What are regulations for people who are fully vaccinated?  “fully vaccinated” means 14 DAYS AFTER the day of 2nd vaccination (or Johnson & Johnson vaccination).

The vaccine PREVENTS infection in 70- 90+% of people, but the other 10-20% can contract a (milder) version of the virus and presumably spread it. 

Most common side effects of vaccination are aches, feeling lousy, flu-like symptoms, can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Can people choose what vaccine to get prior to making an appointment or at the time of an appointment? No, count yourself lucky to get what is available.

CDC Guidelines for fully vaccinated people

Highlights of Changes to Sector-Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Phase IV, Step 1 https://www.mass.gov/resource/reopening-sector-specific-protocols-and-be...

·         Theaters –removed Phase IV  reference; the beverage stations will follow restaurant rules

·         Restaurants – opens self-serve beverages

·         Museums – increases walking tour size to 25

·         Gyms and Fitness Centers – reduced distancing requirement from 14ft to 6ft

·         Retail – reopens food courts, following restaurant rules (reiterates most important rules, per HHS)

·         Events – Clarifies that the 90 min limit does not apply for seated food service at events, removes reference to travel order

Phase IV Enterprises that Must Remain Closed until Phase IV, Step 2

·         Amusement parks, theme parks, indoor and outdoor waterparks and ball pits

·         Street festivals and parades and agricultural festivals

·         Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events

·         Bars, dance clubs and nightclubs

·         Beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distillates not providing seated food service

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

·         Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020 (includes physical education): https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/return-to-school/supplement/additional-safety-guide.docx

·         Reopening Guidance (includes administrative offices): https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/return-to-school/

·         Guidance on In-Person Learning Requirements: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/in-person-learning-guide.docx

·         Installment of FAQs (about plexiglass dividers, summer educational services, and library books): https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/faq/2021-0315faq-installment.docx

·         Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations Guidance (includes information on plexi-glass): https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2020-0722facilities-operations-guide.docx

·         Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020  (includes physical education): https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/return-to-school/supplement/additional-safety-guide.docx

Helpdesk number: 781-338-3500 Option 2

Other Useful Links

·         COVID-19 isolation and quarantine information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-information

·         Get Tested MA! https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing