Infections, new cases skyrocketing
BY LORENZO RECUPERO
Massachusetts coronavirus infections are going in the wrong direction, leading to another round of executive orders by Governor Charlie Baker aimed at curbing the virus’s spread.
The orders announced Monday afternoon by Baker are drastic, marking a stark turnaround from where we stood in the summer months or even a few weeks ago.
With 1,000 new cases being reported across the state daily for over a week, Baker called for the new orders to go into effect in the commonwealth on Friday, November 6.
At that time, a stay-at- home advisory will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions for those taking walks, traveling to work, or running vital household errands, like grocery shopping or tending to medical needs.
Businesses and recreational venues were not exempt from the various orders.
A long list of businesses, including nail and hair salons, restaurants, liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, and gyms all must close to the public by 9:30 p.m., with the exception of restaurants, which will still be allowed to make carry-out or delivery orders available after the curfew time.
Movie theaters, performance venues, museums, and other Indoor entertainment industries, most notably here in Everett the Encore Boston Harbor casino, will also be ordered to close at 9:30 pm.
Additionally, all gathering sizes allowed during the advisory have been reduced. Indoor gatherings are down to a 10-person maximum while outdoor gatherings are now limited to 25 people and anyone over 5 years old must wear a mask in public.
“We’ve let our guard down and have work to do,” said Governor Baker during the public announcement. The revised orders will all be in place “at least” through the Thanksgiving holiday.