Framingham To End Coronavirus State Of Emergency, Rules

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The coronavirus pandemic will end in Framingham in a matter of days.

On Monday night, the Board of Health approved ending a variety of pandemic-era orders ranging from an eviction moratorium to requiring people to wear masks indoors.

Mayor Yvonne Spicer's blanket state of emergency order, which went into effect on March 10, 2020, will end June 15 — that aligns with when Gov. Charlie Baker's statewide emergency order will end. A slate of other orders will end Saturday, which is when Baker is lifting virtually all restrictions put in place during the pandemic.

Framingham's moratorium on evictions, which only went into effect in February, was modified slightly by the Board of Health at the request of former member Mike Hugo. He asked for — and the board approved — a provision that would allow tenants who have applied for rental assistance to finish the application process. Hugo said that would prevent people from getting losing housing if they are waiting on money to pay owed rent.

As of Monday, there were still over 1,500 active coronavirus cases in Framingham. However, the city has been adding far fewer cases in recent weeks than during the second wave over the winter. Since last March, 8,278 Framingham residents have tested positive for the virus and 245 have died.

Other pandemic orders that will end include:

Public meetings: City boards and commissions will have to find a way to meet in person again. There will be a hybrid option for meetings, but without action in the Legislature, members will have to be present.

Outdoor dining: Like many communities, Framingham is not enforcing certain zoning regulations to make it easier for restaurants to have outdoor seating. Framingham will start enforcing those regulations again by mid-August without further legislative action.

Restaurant seating: A September 2020 order limited seating at restaurants in Framingham to six people. That restriction will end on Saturday.

Masks: The city's April 2020 order that masks must be worn indoors will end Saturday. Stores also won't have to have one-way aisles. However, the state is still requiring masks on public and private transportation, in healthcare facilities and in places like nursing homes. The state is also advising people who have not been vaccinated to continue wearing masks.

Parking fines: Framingham in April 2020 suspended the collection of overtime paring fines. Spicer also waived late fees on property taxes paid before June 2020.