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Image courtesy of Chris Lexow / CC BY-SA 2.0
Bars in Massachusetts will have to wait a while longer before being allowed to reopen under the phased-in approach set out by Gov. Charlie Baker.
Baker said most businesses have stayed in whichever of the four phases they were placed in as part of the reopening process. The state just entered phase two, which allows for the reopening of retail shops and outside dining at restaurants provided they adhere to public health measures like social distancing, the use of masks and limited capacity.
Baker said the big issue with bars is coming up with a model that allows them to operate safely.
“As we’ve seen in a number of other places around the country that have moved forward very aggressively, they’ve started to see a pretty significant rise in new cases and we’re going to work very hard to make sure that doesn’t happen here in Massachusetts,” he said.
The third phase of the state’s reopening plan is expected to start at the end of June if COVID-19 infection rates and other indicators suggest it is safe.
