Administration announces move to Step 2 of Phase 3 for lower-risk communities effective Oct. 5

Administration announces move to Step 2 of Phase 3 for lower-risk communities effective Oct. 5

The Baker-Polito administration this afternoon announced that lower-risk communities will be permitted to move into Step 2 of Phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan effective Monday, Oct. 5.

All other communities will remain in Phase 3, Step 1.

Gov. Charlie Baker also issued a revised gatherings order. Industry-specific guidance and protocols for a range of Phase 1, 2 and 3 businesses are also being updated.

On May 18, the administration released a four-phased plan to reopen the economy based on sustained improvements in public health data.

Last month, the administration began releasing data for all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns on the average daily COVID cases per 100,000 residents, average percent positivity, and total case counts. ...