MA Moves Ahead With Coronavirus Reopening: What You Need To Know

MASSACHUSETTS — Trampoline parks, roller rinks and other indoor entertainment venues are among the businesses eligible to reopen Monday as most Massachusetts communities move forward to step two in the third phase of the state's four-phase reopening plan.

Cities and towns designated as having a low risk for coronavirus transmission can enter the second step Monday. Municipalities that have been marked red, or high risk, in any of the past three weekly state coronavirus reports, will stay at step one. As of Wednesday, there were 23 red communities, including Boston, Worcester and Springfield.

Communities need to be at low risk in the state's coronavirus map for three straight weeks to advance. The state is moving forward with the reopening plan even as daily confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise to levels not seen since late spring. On Saturday, the state reported 600 new cases.

"We've learned a lot from watching what's going on in other states, especially in the Northeast region, and similar changes elsewhere have not led to significant transmission there," Gov. Charlie Baker said last week.

What Changes

Among the changes in phase three, step two:

• Indoor recreation businesses — including laser tag facilities, trampoline parks and roller rinks — can open for the first time since March.
• Gyms, museums and libraries can expand capacity to 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
• Retail stores can open fitting rooms.
• Indoor and outdoor performance venues, excluding stadiums and arenas, can open at 50 percent capacity, up to a maximum of 250 people.
• The limit on outdoor gatherings at public venues will increase to 100 from 50 people.

What Stays The Same

• Indoor gatherings are still limited to 25 or fewer people.
• Outdoor gatherings at private homes remain limited to 50 or fewer people.