MA Coronavirus: Cases Top 200, No Statewide Lockdown

MASSACHUSETTS — Gov. Charlie Baker reaffirmed Tuesday he is not planning a statewide shelter-in-place order to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. The governor also announced a $5 million emergency fund to be dispersed to local boards of health.

"I've spoke about this before, but let me be clear: We are not planning any shelter-in-place orders," Baker said Tuesday, the first day of the most widespread shutdown Massachusetts has ever seen.

France, Italy and most recently the San Francisco Bay Area have instituted total lockdowns. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said a national lockdown was discussed but it's an unlikely step.

Baker's orders to shut down schools, limit public gatherings to 25 people, and restrict all restaurants to takeout-only took effect Tuesday, though many have been doing so for days. It's also the day when construction and libraries shut down across Boston and the MBTA instituted a reduced schedule for the foreseeable future.

"It's an understatement to say that we're in unchartered territory," Baker said.

The emergency fund is part of a $15 million relief package lawmakers approved last week. It is available immediately, subject to short applications, Baker said.

Public Heath Commissioner Monica Bharel also announced Tuesday that all presumptive coronavirus cases are now being considered positive. There have been 218 confirmed cases in Massachusetts as of Tuesday afternoon, with 102 being connected to last month's Biogen conference.

Aside from the measures taking effect Tuesday in Massachusetts, local businesses and public buildings have been closed in the desperate effort to slow coronavirus, or COVID-19. Somerville has taken the most drastic measures, shutting down all gyms, theaters, houses of worship and other public buildings.

No one knows exactly how long all of this will last — there are some target dates of three weeks with things like school closures — but the reality setting in is that this could be the new normal for much longer.

With that in mind, Baker filed legislation Monday that would waive the waiting period for unemployment benefits and grant local government more flexibility in moving municipal operations around. He also filed legislation that would create a new state holiday Sept. 14 — the new date of the Boston Marathon.