By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Today Governor Charlie Baker outlined further measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Baker announced new statewide restrictions in place for at least two weeks starting Saturday, December 26. Capacity limits have been lowered to 25% and limits in outdoor gatherings are now 25 people and indoor gatherings have been reduced to 10. These new restrictions are in addition to the existing orders already in place.
“Our hospitals are now under significant pressure and we are towards another period, this holiday stretch, where we are likely to see another increase in hospitalizations unless everybody plays a different game then the one we all played at Thanksgiving,” said Baker.
Baker reiterated that scientific data supports in person learning, and said that his restrictions announced today will help to bring children back into the schools.
“Nothing we are announcing today effects the guidance for K-12 education,” said Baker.
Baker said he is putting together an economic relief fund for the Massachusetts businesses that are most negatively impacted by these closures. The details on that package will be presented tomorrow.