Meanwhile, the state’s vaccine program is underway, but the rollout has been fraught at best, and does not currently include restaurant workers, who face a heightened risk for COVID-19 infection, especially with the emergence of new virus variants. When COVID-19 infections surged in the Commonwealth through the fall and winter and hit their eventual peak, indoor dining never fully shut down, despite the relative risks. Rhode Island and Massachusetts have laid out plans to gradually reopen their economies throughout the summer, which differ slightly from each other and other states’ plans. Less than 80% of Massachusetts restaurants have outdoor patios, according to the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. Many restaurants have expanded their service to include outdoor table service as well as take out & delivery. Capacity limits across sectors have been raised to 50 percent, excluding employees. What are the best restaurants in Massachusetts? The restaurant is open for outdoor dining starting Monday, June 8, according to its website. On the other hand, white people account for 71 percent of the state’s total population, and 68 percent of the number of people who’ve received at least one dose of vaccine. (280 Hanover St., Boston) Yellow Door Taqueria To open dining rooms without capacity limits so soon after emerging from the darkest days of the pandemic, without having made these workers eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine — and without indicating exactly when they might become eligible — is unconscionable. Massachusetts has remained one of the states hit hardest by the novel coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease COVID-19. by: Katrina Kincade. (This is an update; the end date was originally reported to be April 17.) Baker — who lifted the state’s stay-at-home advisory and early business closure order that required restaurants to close by 9:30 p.m. in late January, and increased dining room capacities from 25 to 40 percent in early February — attributed the accelerated reopening to encouraging trends in public health data. Posted: Mar 1, 2021 / 06:14 AM EST / … Gov. Massachusetts reopening plan rolls back to Phase 3, Step 1: What it means for restaurants. There are still guidelines that have to be followed — masks must be worn, tables must be spaced at least six feet apart, parties must not exceed six diners, and so on — but for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, restaurants are free to jam as many people into their dining rooms as the state’s social-distancing guidelines will permit. Yet they must sit around and hit refresh on the state’s website to figure out when they’ll be eligible for the vaccine. It’s really that simple. Possibly high-contact indoor activities such as laser tag, roller skating, trampolines and obstacle courses can also reopen to 50 percent capacity. We’re on our way out. It’s also known as one of the best … And COVID-19 cases in the state’s capital are concentrated in communities of color with the highest proportions of essential workers, including cooks and servers. Let’s pull back.’” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/KgRdxQxuDx. Massachusetts reopening: No restaurant capacity limits, indoor venues can re-open Massachusetts. This state-by-state guide offers a status check on whether restaurants are allowed to be open for dining in (indoors and out), or whether delivery and takeout are still the norm. Standards for Responsible Restaurants in Massachusetts “Restaurant” means an establishment that provides food service that is prepared on-site and under a Food Service Establishment Permit, for food service establishments that cook, prepare and serve food, intended for immediate consumption, as permitted and issued by a municipal authority pursuant to 105 CMR 590.000. Retail stores, day care facilities, camps and outdoor-dining areas have already begun welcoming back customers, and business owners are adapting to a post-peak pandemic. Massachusetts restaurants reopen indoor dining:… Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens … It’s the third significant restriction Gov. As of today, March 1, restaurants in Massachusetts are fully open. The rising number of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts means there are new limits for gathering sizes, capacity and mask-wearing. Enjoy sidewalk, patio and roof top dining al fresco. Massachusetts restaurants allowed to open at full capacity as state enters next reopening step, Accents: The voices of our immigrant neighbors, State reopening isn't a silver bullet for restaurants, business owners say. Updated Dec 08, 2020; Posted Dec 08, 2020. More than 100 restaurants and bars in Massachusetts have violated COVID-19 guidelines, putting their workers at risk — and restaurants in the state are responsible for at least 78 COVID-19 infection clusters among workers. Under the order, restaurants were allowed to operate for takeout and delivery beyond 9:30 p.m., but were not permitted to remain open for indoor or outdoor dining. Massachusetts restaurants and retailers are itching to open their doors again after the coronavirus shutdown has crippled eateries and shops across … Woods Hill Pier 4 in Boston is offering dining igloos this winter. A running list of igloo and fire pit hangouts available for booking. A recent study from the American Journal of Industrial Medicine showed that Hispanic and Latinx food preparation and service workers in Massachusetts died of COVID-19 at a rate eight times higher than white workers between March and July 2020. Massachusetts is brimming with restaurants that promise something for every taste and every dietary need. As of today, March 1, restaurants in Massachusetts are fully open. Each phase will go for at least three weeks, so it appears that restaurants will not be able to open for at least three weeks while bars will not be able to open for at least six weeks. Massachusetts on Monday reentered Step 2 of Phase 3 in its reopening, allowing businesses to expand capacity and restaurants to open at full capacity. However, Massachusetts is still just weeks removed from the pandemic’s peak, when its health care infrastructure was stretched to its outer limits for a second time in under a year. Here in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association has expressed excitement about the reopening, according to a statement from president and CEO Bob Luz. Some businesses have welcomed the expansions. Supporters of the step have said greater economic activity would help businesses hurt by the pandemic. It has been increasingly difficult to get the word out about which Boston-area restaurants and bars are completely closed for the time being and which ones are open for takeout and/or delivery, in part because of the sheer number of dining and drinking spots in the region but also because the situation is so fluid that places are constantly updating… There is a sizable and growing body of evidence that suggests that restaurant workers — especially line cooks and servers — are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Massachusetts’ second phase of reopening began on Monday. Charlie Baker said will announce on June 6 when Phase 2 of Massachusetts reopening can begin, which will include a plan for restaurants. Moving to the next phase depends on health data trends. Some have chosen to remain open in a delivery/takeout capacity and some have closed their doors. It’s true that there’s been a steady decline in COVID-19 cases: The state hasn’t reported more than 2,000 new cases on a single day since February 12, after routinely topping 5,000 new cases per day in December and January. There are positive developments for the reopening of Massachusetts popping up all over the state, as the coronavirus lockdowns are slowly lifted. Charlie Baker to allow the industry to open at full capacity in June. In December, Gov. Over a dozen restaurants in … Charlie Baker announced on Thursday the state would move forward in its reopening plan. A University of California-San Francisco study showed that relative excess mortality during the pandemic among agriculture and food service workers in that state increased by 39 percent, the most among any workers. newsletter, 7 Exciting Boston-Area Restaurants Opening in (or Around) Spring 2021, Wood-fired pizza, Vietnamese coffee, sugary boba, and more, 5 Boston-Area Takeout and Delivery Options for St. Patrick’s Day 2021, Order corned beef and cabbage (or other Irish treats) and celebrate the holiday from the comfort of your own home, 11 New Restaurants to Try Around Boston Right Now, Hot chicken in Allston, pho in Brookline, bagels in Jamaica Plain, and more, COVID-19 and What It Means for Massachusetts Restaurants, the state’s stay-at-home advisory and early business closure order, who face a heightened risk for COVID-19 infection, concentrated in communities of color with the highest proportions of essential workers, very real risks associated with indoor dining, Where to Find Crispy, Crunchy, and Smashed Plantains in Boston, Shōjō Is Expanding to Cambridge, and Mida Is Expanding to Newton, A List of Boston Restaurants Still In Hibernation for the Winter, More Than 150 Massachusetts Restaurants Alleged to Have Violated COVID-19 Rules. As of March 1, restaurants in Massachusetts will no longer be subject to percentage-based capacity limits, as the state enters Phase 3, Step 2 of its reopening plan. The news would be exciting if it weren’t so monumentally reckless. 3 of America’s most scenic restaurants are in Massachusetts, according to OpenTable Drink in the view as you enjoy your meal. Iconic dishes, neighborhood guides, essential eats, and more recommendations for eating in the Hub, Dining Rooms Shouldn’t Reopen Until Restaurant Workers Are Eligible for the Vaccine, Sign up for the Restaurants will be allowed to open to the public in Phase 2, but that date is yet to be set. If the state doesn’t want to vaccinate its restaurant workers, it shouldn’t fully reopen its restaurants, especially given the very real risks associated with indoor dining. This is welcome news for many #smallbiz who were struggling for too long. Gov. A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this day, which signals a return to some version of normalcy for many. Public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and top Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials, have warned against prematurely rolling back restrictions. The Baker administration claims its biggest priority with the vaccine rollout — which is currently in the second part of Phase 2, meaning individuals 65 and older, individuals with two or more comorbidities, first responders, and health care workers, among others, are eligible — is ensuring that there is equity for communities of color. Food service workers — including meatpackers, delivery drivers, and grocery workers — have exposed themselves to the risks of COVID-19 for a year, because the state classified their work as essential last March, when the pandemic broke out. Focusing on essential workers in communities of color, including restaurant workers, would help the state achieve its equity goals. Latest City of Boston update: Given the improvement in the number of COVID-19 cases and the City's positivity rate over the past few weeks, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston will align with the state's opening guidance by lifting the 25% capacity restriction … Phase 1 will last for a minimum of three weeks. Here is what we know. A group of roughly 100 Massachusetts restaurant owners and related hospitality businesses is pushing Gov. Keep in mind that local (county, city, and town) guidance may differ from the state, and that many restaurants may not reopen right away even if they are able. Open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., this Italian restaurant will serve homemade pasta and espresso martinis on its sidewalk patio in the North End. By Michael Bonner | … If one of your to-do items was to eat at new restaurants, look no further than these 11 spots throughout the Bay State that are sure to leave a lasting impact. The first step of Phase 2 began on Monday, allowing many more businesses to open their doors, including malls, restaurants (for outdoor dining) … Baker said the state on March 22 would enter the first step of Phase 4, barring a rise in cases, which would allow indoor and outdoor stadiums to reopen at a 12 percent capacity limit. Charlie Baker has lifted for restaurants in the state in the past five weeks. The 11 Restaurants You’ll Want To Eat At In Massachusetts In 2020. Be sure to call ahead to confirm availability. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Gov. Starting Monday, the capacity limit on Massachusetts restaurants was lifted, and theaters, concert halls and entertainment venues can also reopen at half capacity with up to 500 people. He announced the state’s return to the second step of Phase 3 on Thursday, citing “significant decrease” in cases. Theaters, concert halls and other indoor performance venues can reopen at 50 percent capacity with up to 500 people. (WHDH) — Many restaurants in Massachusetts will be open for dining on Christmas Day, while others are offering holiday dinner bundles to enjoy at home. But still a long way to go before a complete economic recovery #mapoli https://t.co/krP9gjiFoG, As governors across the country begin to ease some coronavirus restrictions, Dr. Anthony Fauci says he thinks the efforts are premature: “It is really risky to say, ‘It’s over. Charlie Baker had moved back a step in reopening amid rising case counts and increasing public pressure. Yet, as of February 23, the state’s white population has been vaccinated at disproportionately higher rates than its Hispanic, Latinx, and Black populations: Hispanic and Latinx communities account for 12.4 percent of the state’s total population, but just 4.3 percent of the number of people who’ve received at least one dose of vaccine; Black communities account for 9 percent of the state’s total population, but just 5.1 percent of the number of people who’ve received at least one dose of vaccine. “Honestly, it seems like business as usual for a city and state that wants restaurants to be be open without really caring how they run, or who runs them,” said a Boston-based restaurant worker Eater spoke with for this story, and who asked to remain anonymous as they struggle to find work in Boston’s decimated restaurant industry. These igloos and fire pits are open this winter. (WWLP) – On Monday, restaurants in Massachusetts were open without capacity limits now that the state has moved into Phase 3, … You have permission to edit this article. While the decade comes to a close, there are countless opportunities ahead to do all of the things that you didn’t get a chance to last year. Read the guidelines for Massachusetts restaurants reopening in Phase 2 Outdoor dining will begin at the start of Phase 2, while indoor dining will come at a later date. Massachusetts on Monday reentered Step 2 of Phase 3 in its reopening, allowing businesses to expand capacity and restaurants to open at full capacity. Restaurants are permitted to offer indoor dining service by meeting mandatory safety standards and recommended best practices. NBC Universal, Inc. Increasing capacity, allowing more #smallbiz to reopen their doors means MA is getting closer to some normalcy. If the state wants to fully reopen its restaurants, it should vaccinate its restaurant workers. But Luz notes that the restricted seating levels will continue to pose a challenge for restaurants, urging customers to get out early in the week, “making Monday to Wednesday the new Saturday.” If you’re looking for the best local restaurants in Massachusetts, look no further than The Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton. Massachusetts dining rooms fully reopened today — yet food service workers still aren’t eligible for vaccines. The enchanting restaurant sits in the countryside and offers cozy seating. Dining rooms in Massachusetts have been open in one capacity or another for the majority of the pandemic, which means that restaurant workers have been putting their lives at risk for just as long. Distancing guidelines will continue to apply to restaurants, meaning that many in Berkshire County will remain well below full capacity. Visitors coming fr… Capacity limits across sectors have been raised to 50 percent, excluding employees. Noting that the hospitality industry has seen half of its 300,000-person workforce laid off as the economy shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus, the group said 60,000 of those jobs… Those risks are even higher for restaurant workers of color, who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. (Bars are defined here as "establishments that only serve alcohol and do not have kitchen areas that prepare food on-site.") All Massachusetts bars and restaurants will be shuttered for dine-in business from March 17 through April 6. A table at Boston's Top of the Hub restaurant. Following Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's announcement this week prohibiting bars and restaurants from serving dine-in customers through April 6th, some Worcester business are adapting to the new rule.