Chelmsford Rolls Back Reopening Measures

CHELMSFORD, MA — Chelmsford is among 13 municipalities across the state that are rolling back reopening measures after being deemed high-risk for coronavirus spread for three straight weeks.

The town moved back from Phase 3, Step 2 to Phase 3, Step 1 on Monday. That means some businesses closing and others reducing capacity.

The step back means gyms, libraries and museums must reduce capacity from 50 percent to 40 percent, businesses with indoor activities such as theaters and escape rooms must close and outdoor gathering limits are reduced from 100 to 50.

Additionally, per the governor’s order, all indoor ice rinks, and indoor ice skating and hockey facilities, such as the Chelmsford Forum may not host games, practices, or any other on-ice hockey or skating activities until Nov. 7.

Most communities entered step 3, phase 2 on Oct. 5.

Chelmsford is one of 77 communities in the red zone, or considered high-risk by the state. Just last week, it came out that a nursing home here had an outbreak of the virus, which left five residents dead and dozens of others infected.

Coronavirus rates have been increasing for weeks — the past two days have seen more than 1,000 cases each across the commonwealth. Sewage measurements suggest the spike is still on an upward trajectory.

The other communities that have had to roll back openings are Acushnet, Brockton, Holyoke, Hudson, Kingston, Leicester, Malden, Plymouth, Randolph, Waltham, Webster and Woburn.