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Reopening Massachusetts

The Baker-Polito Administration’s comprehensive plan to safely reopen the Massachusetts economy, get people back to work, and ease social restrictions while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19.

CURRENT STATE: Phase III, Step 2 (as of October 5, 2020) for lower-risk communities

Lower-risk communities are permitted to move into Step II of Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. (Details)

Lower-risk communities are defined as cities and towns that have not been designated in the “red” category in any of the last three weekly Department of Public Health weekly reports. Communities will lose their lower-risk designation if they are a "red" community for three consecutive DPH weekly reports.

Click here to see the list of communities not designated as lower-risk communities.

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Learn more about Reopening Massachusetts

Download the Reopening MA Report  Readiness and capabilities dashboard  When can my business reopen  Submit questions and comments about Reopening  How do I report non-compliance  Early closure of businesses and activities (Effective: 11.06.20) 

Latest Update (11/2/20): Baker-Polito Administration Announces Targeted Measures To Curb Rising COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations

Additional Resources: 

General business guidance

Information to help businesses meet the self-certification requirement to reopen. All businesses must meet these requirements before reopening. 

  • COVID-19 control plan template – Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification
  • Compliance attestation poster – Poster that businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors
  • Employer and Worker posters – Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting
Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces  COVID-19 control plan template  Compliance attestation poster  Employer poster  Worker poster  Find Supply Vendors 

Additional Resources

General business guidance documents and translations [اللغة العربية , Español, 中文（简体字）, 中文（正體字）, Kreyòl ayisyen, ગુજરાતી, ខ្មែរ, 한국어, Português, Tiếng Việt]

Sector-specific protocols and best practices

Upon reopening, all Phase 1, 2 and 3 businesses must follow the sector-specific safety protocols and best practices linked below. Additional sector guidance for future phases will be issued at a later date.

Access sector-specific protocols, best practices and checklists 

Additional guidance

Recreation  Reopening health and human services  Child care  Occupational Schools and Testing Centers  Reopening higher education  Reopening K-12 schools  Reopening gaming establishments (via MGC)  Recreational day camps and programs 

Additional Resources

Mold and Legionella Reopening Guidance (DOCX 41.46 KB)
Addressing stagnant water in buildings (PDF 209.52 KB)

The Reopening Advisory Board

On April 28, Governor Baker announced the formation of the Reopening Advisory Board, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. The Board includes representatives from the business community, public health officials, and municipal leaders from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the Baker-Polito Administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics.

Meet the Board 

Reopening Press Releases:

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