Further Rollback Of COVID Rules Not Planned In Medford

MEDFORD, MA — While some greater Boston communities furthered their rollback of coronavirus rules Wednesday, Medford plans to stay the course with state guidelines. Two of the city's neighbors, Somerville and Arlington, moved to a modified version of Phase 2, Step 2, closing gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, museums and indoor spaces like bowling alleys and batting cages.

Other nearby communities like Newton and Boston are enacting similar restrictions as part of a regional effort to address rising case counts. But the effort only includes a handful of cities and towns in the area, and leaders have said it would be more effective with additional participation or state guidance.

"The City of Medford does not have immediate plans to roll back further than the governor has already announced," a city spokesperson wrote in an email. "We know that to be effective in this effort, there must be a truly regional commitment to or statewide requirement for rollbacks. We continue to monitor data and work closely with our local partners and with state leaders to protect the health of our residents as well as continue to support our local businesses and economy."

Gov. Charlie Baker rolled the state back to Phase 3, Step 1 on Sunday, which mainly lowered capacity limits on businesses and gatherings and tightened mask regulations.