'The New Normal': MA Details 4-Phase Approach To Reopening State

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday afternoon announced a four-phase approach to reopen Massachusetts, a process which could begin soon but will only move forward as fast as public health data progresses.

Mandatory workplace safety standards were also announced. All businesses that reopen must follow the standards.

There is no timeline for the phases, which will be contingent on public health data progress. The reopening advisory board will release a report outlining details for specific industries May 18.

"The process is complicated," Baker said. "It's gradual and it requires an incredible amount of patience."

If the progression of some public health data begins to halt or regress, phases could be rolled back.

"We have to ensure that when taking one step forward we don't take two steps back," Baker said.

The new phases are as follows, with descriptions via materials from the announcement:

Phase 1: Start — Limited industries resume operations with severe restrictions.

Phase 2: Cautious — Additional industries resume operations with restrictions and capacity limits.

Phase 3: Vigilant — Additional industries resume operations with guidance.

Phase 4: The New Normal — Development of vaccine and/or therapy enables resumption of "new normal."

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced mandatory workplace safety standards that every business must follow. The standards are as follows, with descriptions via materials from the announcement:

• Social distancing
  • All persons, including employees, customers, and vendors should remain at least 6 feet apart to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside workplaces.
  • Establish protocols to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing.
  • Provide signage for safe social distancing.
  • Require face coverings or masks for all employees.
• Hygiene protocols
  • Provide hand washing capabilities throughout the workplace.
  • Ensure frequent hand washing by employees and adequate supplies to do so.
  • Provide regular sanitization of high touch areas, such as workplaces, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms throughout work site.
• Staffing and protocols
  • Provide training for employees regarding the social distancing and hygiene protocols.
  • Employees who are displaying COVID-19-like symptoms do not report to work.
  • Establish a plan for employees getting ill from COVID-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan.
• Cleaning and disinfecting
  • Establish and maintain cleaning protocols specific to the business.
  • When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, cleaning and disinfecting must be performed.
  • Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to said workplace.