Baker On Reopening: Not Business As Usual

BRAINTREE, MA — As Massachusetts begins the first phase of reopening from the coronavirus lockdown, Gov. Charlie Baker stressed that the "physical closeness associated with work" will have to change until a vaccine is developed.

During a Wednesday visit to Symmons Industries, a plumbing manufacturing facility in Braintree, Baker said he was pleased to see the efforts many Massachusetts companies have made to continue social distancing during the first wave of reopening.

"It’s absolutely the right thing do," Baker said, acknowledging the difficulties involved and the effect on personal relationships with coworkers.

"It's the loss of the socialization issues and the sense of team and the sense of community that comes with those opportunities to sit and talk about your family or what’s going on with your work," Baker said.

Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said staggering lunch times, rigorously sanitizing work stations and taking employees' temperatures before each shift are key to preventing the further spread of the virus.

Polito added that all essential businesses, along with those opening for phase one, must be in compliance with workplace safety standards by May 25.

The list of businesses opening May 25 includes hair salons, barber shops and retailers — including recreational marijuana dispensaries, which must transition to curbside business only. Baker also urged owners of these businesses not to buy medical-grade masks so they remain available for health care workers.

Symmons CEO Tim O'Keefe, whose company shifted to making personal protective equipment, said it has returned to making plumbing supplies. But things are a lot different from when the company could have 150 employees in one large room, he said.

O'Keefe said taking temperatures was awkward at first, but now his employees are playing '80s music during the screenings to add some fun.

"Never before have we been faced with the challenge as great as the COVID crisis," O'Keefe said. "There is no playbook for managing a business through a pandemic."

Coronavirus testing

Baker said the state processed close to 8,000 coronavirus tests Tuesday, and less than 10 percent came back positive.

"That's a very promising development and a very promising trend," Baker said before cautioning people to continue wearing face masks in public and practice social distancing.