The temporary Executive Order will outline the following measures that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26th and will continue until Sunday, January 10th, with a possibility of an extension of another week based upon available data.
This pause will reduce allowable occupancy from current capacity levels of 40% to 25% in multiple sectors.
- Notably, this capacity limit will now apply to restaurants. Capacity will be set at 25% of pre-COVID seating capacity and distancing between tables and other requirements will remain in place. Indoor and Outdoor seating capacity must be calculated separately (rather than combining them).
- Small spaces (such as personal services) and other spaces without clear occupancy standards may use 5 people / 1000 square feet as an alternative to the 25% occupancy .
- The 25% limit will not apply to manufacturing, laboratories, drive in movie theaters, or construction
- Employees/staff are exempted from the capacity count
- Limits at indoor event venues are being reduced to 10 people.
- Limits at outdoor event venues are being reduced to 25 people.
- Current limits at private residences remain the same (10 indoors and 25 outdoors)
- Limits at movie theaters will be reduced to 25% (no more than 50 people per theater)
- Limits outdoor performance venues will remain 25% (with the max number reduced to 25 from 50).
- Office spaces will be required to reduce capacity to 25%, but there will continue to be allowances for offices with “critical services”, such as public safety, public health, and other critical services. There is no approval required for these exemptions.
- K-12 schools continue to be exempted from these capacity limits and will need to follow DESE standards and guidelines.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
Sector | Current Capacity Limit | New Limit |
Construction | None | None |
Drive-In Movie Theaters | None | None |
Laboratories | None | None |
Manufacturing | None | None |
Restaurants | None | 25% of seating capacity |
Close Contact Personal Services | None | 25% |
Indoor and Outdoor Events | 25 indoor / 50 outdoor | 10 indoor / 25 outdoor |
Theaters and Performance Venues | Movie theaters – 40%, max 50 ppl Indoor perf venues – Closed Outdoor perf venues – 25%, max 50 ppl |
Movie theaters – 25%, max 50 ppl
Indoor perf venues – Closed Outdoor perf venues – 25%, max 25 ppl |
Office Spaces | 40% | 25% |
Places of Worship | 40% | 25% |
Retail Businesses | 40% | 25% |
Driving and Flight Schools | 40% | 25% |
Golf Facilities | 40% | 25% |
Libraries | 40% | 25% |
Operators of Lodgings | 40% | 25% |
Arcades & Other Indoor & Outdoor Recreation Businesses | 40% | 25% |
Fitness Centers and Health Clubs | 40% | 25% |
Museums / Cultural & Historical Facilities / Guided Tours | 40% | 25% |
Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed | 40% | 25% |