After delaying Phase 3 for weeks, Somerville finally gives the OK to a modified version
Here’s what to know.
Related Links
After delaying moving into Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan multiple times, Somerville officials have finally given the green light — sort of.
Certain Phase 3 businesses will be allowed to reopen in the city beginning Tuesday, according to an announcement from the city. The businesses allowed to reopen include health clubs and fitness facilities, like yoga studios; gyms; motion picture and television streaming productions; dance and martial arts studios; plus other types of classes, like those for art, language, and music, the announcement says.
Somerville will allow limited Phase 3 business openings starting on 9/8, including fitness facilities, video productions, martial arts & dance facilities, &
non-athletic instructional classes (arts, language). Limit of 10 in each facility. Full details: https://t.co/AI5eyNHWHC pic.twitter.com/sG46wUT4rc— City of Somerville (@SomervilleCity) September 3, 2020
The city is continuing to work with different indoor facilities that fall outside of these parameters, like ax throwing and rock climbing centers. They will stay closed. Venues like movie theaters and museums, as well as LEGOLAND, will also remain shuttered.
The state gave the OK for cities and towns to move into Phase 3 on July 6, with Boston holding off until July 13. Somerville had planned initially to do the same as Boston but then delayed for a week. Further delays came after that.
A variety of guidelines beyond those the state issued will also be mandatory in Somerville. These include:
- The requirement of a face covering for everyone, except children under age 2 and those with medical exemptions. This is different than the state, which allows people to go without a mask when there’s enough space or during “vigorous exercise.”
- Gyms and businesses offering classes must have participants register beforehand, including “open gym time.”
- Businesses must follow air quality standards issued by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
- There must be 10 people or less, including staff, at dance and martial arts studios, as well as at other classes and streaming events.
- The city’s Inspectional Services department will check businesses and also handle complaints. Failure to comply could result in closures.
Outside of businesses, gatherings are still limited to 10 people or less, including indoor and outdoor events.Mayor Joseph Curatone has been openly critical of the timeline for the state’s reopening plan, calling it “a hot mess” in an opinion piece for CommonWealth around the time Phase 3 originally began.“Our state is charting a nonsensical path that flies in the face of the data and does not put in place the public health shield needed to protect us from a potential second wave of coronavirus,” he wrote at the time. “The plan right now is a smattering of different activities with little regard for where our priorities should be, and it is completely devoid of actual vigilance.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com