Somerville Keeps Phase 3 Reopening On Hold

SOMERVILLE, MA — Phase 3 of reopening remains on hold in Somerville, the city announced Friday. Officials cited data released by the DPH this week, showing elevated rates of COVID-19 in nearby communities.

The aim is to mitigate community spread, reducing the chances of an unmanageable spike and providing a safe context to open schools later in the 2020-2021 school year, according to a news release.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation in two-week intervals, with the next update coming on or before Thursday, August 27. In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings also remain in Phase 2, with no more than 10 persons allowed, unless specifically permitted under city activity-specific guidelines. To provide safer options for gyms and fitness centers to offer services, the City is encouraging and supporting outdoor alternatives.

Businesses in the State’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening include large indoor venues and activities generally considered to be at high risk for viral spread such as performance venues, movie theaters, gyms, cultural centers, and indoor gatherings. Phase 3 Health and Human Services categories opened in Somerville according to statewide plans on July 6. Phase 3 grocery store capacity limit increases also went into effect in tandem with the State on July 17.

Regulations currently in place for Somerville youth and adult league sports remain the same. For more information and regular COVID-19 updates, visit www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus and sign up for city alerts at www.somervillema.gov/Alerts. We urge you to sign up for every alert method you are able to receive: phone call, text, email. Also follow FB.com/SomervilleCity and @SomervilleCity.