Earlier this week, Governor Baker announced new measures that go into effect first thing tomorrow morning (Nov. 6) in an effort to curb the rising COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth. Governor Baker noted that the new measures were implemented because the number of COVID-19 cases raised 278% with hospitalizations raising 145% since Labor Day.

The following orders and advisories are effective starting at 12:01 a.m., Friday, Nov. 6, 2020:

• A new Stay at Home Advisory instructing residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. with certain exceptions, including, but not limited to, persons going to work, getting groceries or addressing health needs, or going for walks.
• An Order Requiring Early Closing of Certain Businesses which requires certain businesses to close from 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. A summary of this list of businesses is provided below:
  • Restaurants (in-person dining only)
  • Liquor stores and retail establishments that sell alcohol must cease selling alcohol by 9:30 p.m.
  • Adult-use marijuana sales
  • Indoor and outdoor events
  • Theatres and performance venues
  • Amateur sports activities
  • Golf facilities
  • Outdoor recreational experiences
  • Casinos and horse tracks
  • Driving and flight schools
  • Zoos, botanical gardens, wildlife reserves, nature centers
  • Close contact personal services (i.e. hair and nail salon)
  • Gym and other fitness centers or health clubs
  • Museums and other historical or cultural facilities
• A Revised Face Covering Order requiring all persons over the age of 5, with certain exceptions set forth in Section 2, to wear face coverings in public even when they are able to maintain six feet apart. Public areas covered under this Revised Face Covering Order include public ways (unless in a car) and public transportation.
• A Revised Gathering Order reducing the size limit of private gatherings to a maximum of 10 people, if indoors, and 25 people, if outdoors. Consistent with the other updates set forth above, this Revised Gatherings Order also requires that all gatherings must disperse by 9:30 p.m. In the event an organizer of any gathering becomes aware of a positive COVID-19 case, they are required to report it to their local health departments and cooperate with contact tracing. Any violation of the Revised Gathering Order may be enforced by local health and police departments and may result in a $500 fine for each person above the limits set therein.

Nelson Mullins continues to monitor the ongoing developments related to COVID-19. For additional information on COVID-19 issues, please visit Nelson Mullins COVID-19 resource page or contact a Nelson Mullins attorney.