New Rules For MA Grocery Stores, Pharmacies Amid Coronavirus

MASSACHUSETTS —Gov. Charlie Baker issued new orders Wednesday related to grocery stores and pharmacies, two essential services. The order includes a temporary drop of the statewide plastic bag ban, and a requirement that grocery stores and pharmacies provide at least an hour a day for shoppers older than 60 during the coronavirus public health emergency.

"It's important that these places which are often visited by a large amount of people on a daily basis are observing DPH guidance on sanitation and social distancing," said Baker. "We also need to make sure we make appropriate accommodations for our most vulnerable residents so they can safely do their shopping for food and supplies."

Baker made the announcement Wednesday when he also announced that schools would remain closed until at least May 4.

Although many were already doing this, the new order will require grocery stores and pharmacies to provide at least one hour per day for adults over 60 years old to shop.

The state also now requires grocery stores to offer sanitation options, such as hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, to clean shopping carts and points of frequent contact.

Lines at grocery stores should have the ground marked at 6 feet measurements at the check out and other places where lines might gather, like the deli, so that customers can practice safe social distancing.

Self-serve food stations are now required to be closed.

And stores are required to tell any employees who are ill to stay home, and for stores to accommodate employees who fall in the high-risk category with alternative assignments to limit exposure.

The state plastic bag ban has been lifted, and Baker also said any fees for plastic or paper bags should be dropped. Read the full order here.

New state numbers released shortly after Baker spoke show four new deaths related to COVID-19 and 679 new cases, by far the highest single-day leap. There are now 15 related deaths and 1,838 confirmed cases in Massachusetts.

Also announced:

Baker also announced steps to keep vulnerable families in their homes due to reduced or lost income including:

• Suspending terminations of federal and state rental vouchers under their purview.
• MassHousing is transferring $5 million to the Department of Housing and Community Development for a COVID-19 Rental Assistance for Families in Transition fund to assist families facing rent insecurity.
• The Division of Banks has issued new guidance to Massachusetts financial institutions and lenders urging them to provide relief for borrowers and will advocate for a 60-day stay on behalf of all homeowners facing imminent foreclosure on their homes.
• DHCD is issuing guidance recommending that all owners of state aided low-income housing, including Local Housing Authorities and private owners, suspend both pending non-essential evictions and the filing of any new non-essential evictions.
• Affordable housing operators are urged to suspend non-essential evictions for loss of income or employment circumstances resulting in a tenant’s inability to make rent.
• This guidance urges operators to establish reasonable payment plans, notify Section 8 or public housing residents about interim income recertification to adjust rent payments, and to consider offering relief funding for residents ineligible for income reassessment.

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Grocery store hours:

Seniors-Only Hours At Whole Foods, Star Market, Market Basket