Child Care, Retail Stores Prepping To Reopen In Phase Two

MASSACHUSETTS — Gov. Charlie Baker signed an order Monday allowing phase two businesses, including child care facilities, to begin preparations to reopen. Baker is expected to announce on Saturday when phase two will begin; the earliest possible date is Monday, June 8.

Businesses and activities that will be allowed to reopen in phase two include outdoor dining, retail, amateur sports programs for kids and adults, professional sports practices, hotels and other lodging facilities, personal services such as tutoring or nail salons, instructional classes for youth, driving schools, funeral homes, and outdoor historical spaces.

Child care centers are currently closed, with the exception of services provided for essential workers. In order to reopen when phase two begins, child care centers will be required to show that they have planned for scenarios including the identification of and caring for sick children and staff, isolation of sick individuals, cleaning, and working to follow local health and safety guidelines. Group sizes will be limited to 10 children, with a maximum of 12 people in a room including staff.

Retailers can begin to transition from curbside pickup to in-person shopping, with a maximum capacity of 40 percent, or 8 people per 1,000 square feet, whichever is greater. See the full retail guidelines here.

Outdoor dining spaces can include restaurants with tables on sidewalks. While awnings and coverings are permitted, at least 50 percent of the area must be uncovered in order for it to be considered outdoor dining. Indoor seating may become available later in phase two. See the full restaurant guidelines here.

Amateur contact sports will be required to limit activity to non-contact drills, and games, scrimmages and tournaments are not permitted. Groups have to be limited to 10 people, and indoor instructional facilities will be limited to opening for the purposes of supervisory youth sports programs and camps.

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