Arlington Rolls Back Coronavirus Rules: What Will Close

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington will roll back its reopening plan to a modified version of Phase 2, Step 2 as part of a regional effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In Arlington, case counts have grown at an "alarming" rate over the past two months, with 66 cases in October, 181 cases in November and 169 cases as of Dec. 13, town officials said.

Arlington joins Boston, Somerville, Newton, Brockton and Lynn in enacting new health and safety restrictions. The changes will take effect Wednesday, Dec. 16 and will remain in place for at least three weeks.

"The state’s reopening plan was developed with consideration to urban and suburban areas," Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine said. "We would prefer the state issue today's advisories, but understand they may be bound by other pressures. In the absence of state-wide advisories, Arlington, as a dense suburb, will work with our regional neighbors to issues guidance to reduce the spread of the virus."

Arlington continues to follow the state's Reopening Massachusetts Plan, but will supplement the plan with additional advisories as public health data dictate.

Here is what will be impacted in Arlington:

The following state orders remain in effect to reduce the transmission of the virus:

• Face coverings order: face masks or cloth face coverings are required in all public places, whether indoors or outdoors, even where they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
• Travel order: all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents are required to:
  • Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health.
  • Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts.
• Stay-at-Home Advisory: residents of Massachusetts are advised to stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

· If you are not feeling well, please get tested, the state has recently increased their testing options at their stop the spread testing sites. Learn more at mass.gov/stopthespread.