Somerville Plans Limited Start To Phase 3 Reopening

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville will consider a limited reopening of fitness centers, gyms and indoor recreation facilities on approximately Sept. 8, Mayor Joseph Curtatone said this week. Opening is contingent on health data continuing to trend in the right direction.

The decision was made following a meeting with Phase 3 business owners on Monday. Businesses would be required to have an approved health and safety plan and meet stringent COVID-19 safety requirements, including some measures that exceed state standards.

The city will decide Monday whether the Sept. 8 opening date will move forward. Detailed guidelines will also be shared. Affected business owners are invited to attend a live online update on Monday, August 31, at 1 p.m., and information will be posted to the public as well on www.somervillema.gov/CovidBiz. Register for the online update here.

In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gathering capacity limits also remain at stricter levels than the State with no more than 10 persons allowed until further notice, unless specifically permitted in 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 reopening include indoor venues and activities generally considered to be at high risk for viral spread such as performance venues, movie theaters, gyms, museums, and cultural centers. 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. Community members are encouraged to sign up for every alert method: phone call, text, email. Also follow FB.com/SomervilleCity and @SomervilleCity.