Massachusetts is easing some of its COVID-19 restrictions by increasing the capacity limits on businesses to 40 percent, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Thursday.

The higher capacity limits effect businesses and other locations that had previously been limited to 25 percent capacity. Those include gyms, libraries, museums, retail offices, arcades, golf courses, places of worship and movie theaters – which will still operate under a cap of no more than 50 moviegoers.

Restaurants workers will not count to the 40 percent limit, and the new rules take effect on Monday at 5 a.m., Baker said.

The decision to ease the capacity limits comes as Massachusetts has seen positive trends in the state’s fight against the coronavirus following a post-holiday peak in cases in early January, the Republican said at a State House press conference.

The state is continuing to maintain a limit of 10 people at indoor gatherings and 25 people at outdoor gatherings.

Baker also announced nearly $174 million in awards to more than 4,000 additional small businesses in the sixth round of coronavirus relief grants.

This program is focused on businesses that have struggled during the pandemic, including restaurants, bars, caterers, personal services and independent retailers.

So far, more than $450 million in direct financial support to 9,900 small businesses has been awarded. The funding was made available in part through a $668 million business relief fund set up in December.

The number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths rose by 74 on Thursday, pushing the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 14,489 since the start of the pandemic.

The number of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by about 2,600. There were an estimated nearly 62,000 people with current active cases of COVID-19 in the state, although the true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick.

There were more than 1,500 people reported hospitalized Thursday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, with about 330 in intensive care units. The average age of those hospitalized was 68.

The move received mixed reviews.

Christopher Carlozzi, the senior state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, called the higher occupancies “welcome news” for the small businesses that have been “desperately fighting to survive with one hand tied behind their back due to the government-ordered 25 percent capacity limits.”

“Most of these small businesses have struggled to bring in enough revenue to pay the bills, so even 40 percent of capacity is good news and it offers hope that we are on a path to normalcy,” he said. “Now we need customers willing to safely support small businesses to dine out, shop, get a haircut, or head to a fitness center.”

However, some argued the move was putting workers in harm’s way

“Restaurants can return to 40% capacity right in time for Valentine’s Day but kitchen and waitstaff, who often work in small spaces, hold multiple jobs, and come in constant contact with the unmasked (eating) public still aren’t prioritized for vaccines,” Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa said on Twitter. “Something is off.”

State House News Service contributed to this report.