| 
Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to reporters at an April 30 press conference. Photo by Sam Doran | State House News Service
Restaurants and lodging businesses face a slew of new mandatory safety standards when they reopen or expand operations beyond current pandemic-forced levels, but the specific transition date will not become clear until next week at the earliest, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said Friday.
Outdoor dining will be allowed at the start of the reopening plan’s second phase, with indoor dining to follow later in the stage as dictated by public health data. Establishments will be required to conduct regular cleaning, screen employees for COVID-19 cases, and keep customer parties 6 feet apart.
Part of the intent with the reopening guidelines is to rebuild public trust in restaurants.
“One of the reasons for pursuing an outdoor strategy to begin with is it’s an easier and simpler way for someone to reintroduce themselves to outdoor dining,” Baker said, noting that research shows it is much harder for coronavirus to spread outdoors.
Tables will be cleaned in between each seating, Polito said, and patrons will have to wear masks any time they are not seated at a table. Restaurants will also have to publicly post a safety checklist so customers can see the steps being taken to keep the public safe.
The hospitality industry, which has been mostly shuttered during the pandemic, can return in phase two with restrictions, such as a requirement to advise all guests to quarantine for two weeks if they are traveling from out of state.
Baker and Polito did not announce a date Friday for when the second phase and its reopenings can begin. The administration will track key public health indicators, such as positive COVID-19 test rates and hospitalizations, between June 1 and June 6 and announce a plan based on that data on Saturday, June 6.
The governor said he plans to issue an executive order on Monday detailing which businesses will get the green light in the second phase and allowing them to bring back employees before its formal start to allow for preparations.
Baker’s order will also permit professional sports teams to practice in Massachusetts facilities, he said.
