Health & Fitness
Baker's Coronavirus Rollback Already In Effect In Worcester
The Worcester City Manager has declined to advance the city to the next phase of reopening citing a high number of local cases.
WORCESTER, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that Massachusetts would take a step back in the statewide reopening plan, but that may not mean much for Worcester residents.
Starting Sunday, the state will move back to step one of phase three of the state's reopening plan. But on Nov. 25, citing an alarming rise in cases, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said he could not "in good conscience" move the city forward to step two of phase three.
At the time, Worcester was averaging 500 cases per week. But cases have only continued to increase in the city and across the region.
Find out what's happening in Worcesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
READ: MA Rolls Back Reopening As COVID-19 Threatens Hospital Capacity
In step one of phase three, restaurants can only seat tables with a maximum of six people. There's also no indoor music allowed.
Find out what's happening in Worcesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Other local communities have resisted the reopening plan. Framingham in late September declined to expand restaurant seating as cases were on the rise. Milford voluntarily moved back to step one of phase three in October.
On top of the rollback, the state is also boosting rules around wearing masks. All office workers must wear masks, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said, and diners and waiters must wear masks at all times, except when food or drinks are being consumed.
Here's what's open and closed in step one of phase three:
| Step 1, Phase 3 | Step 2, Phase 3 | |
| Indoors theaters, performance venues | Closed | Open at 50% capacity/250 people |
| Outdoor gatherings at event venues | 50-person limit | 100-person limit |
| Outdoor theater, performance spaces | 25% capacity, 50 people max | 50% capacity, 250 people max |
| Roller rinks, laser tag, escape rooms, trampoline parks | Closed | 50% capacity |
| Arcades, indoor/outdoor recreation businesses | 40% capacity | 50% capacity |
| Driving/flight schools | 40% capacity | 50% capacity |
| Gyms | 40% capacity | 50% capacity |
| Libraries | 40% capacity | 50% capacity |
| Museums | 40% capacity | 50% capacity |
| Restaurants | Indoor music OK, but no wind/brass instruments, no singing | Indoor music OK, but no singing |
| Fitting rooms | Open where necessary | Open everywhere |
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