Somerville Pushes Back Phase 3 Openings

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville and Boston will not join the rest of the state in starting Phase 3 of reopening Monday. Except for Healthcare and Human Services providers, which will open according to statewide plans, Somerville is keeping all other businesses closed until at least July 13. That is also the delayed reopening date set for Boston by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Updated guidelines for gatherings will also not go into effect until July 13 at the earliest. City officials say this will give them time to continue working with business owners to create safety protocols. In some cases, opening dates later than July 13 may be set as a result.

Businesses in the Phase 3 reopening include large indoor venues generally considered to be at high risk for viral spread without proper measures in place, such as movie theaters, cultural centers, and performance venues. Opening dates and gathering guidelines are expected to be announced this week.

Somerville has previously taken a more cautious approach than the rest of the state with reopening, citing its dense population and proximity to Boston.