Somerville Rolls Back Coronavirus Rules: What Will Close

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville announced Monday it will roll back its reopening plan to a modified version of Phase 2, Step 2 amid warnings that the United States has entered a record-breaking period of high-level transmission of the coronavirus. Changes will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and remain in place for at least three weeks.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone will submit a proposal to the City Council to use an additional $5 million from the city's fiscal reserves as economic stabilization funds to support local businesses. The main businesses affected by this rollback will be gyms and indoor recreational facilities.

"We fully appreciate the economic hardship and mental strain caused by efforts to lessen the spread of this deadly disease, but given the surging transmission of this virus we have no choice but to take more restrictive measures," Curtatone said. "We have 50 people in our city who have died due to coronavirus and the measures we take today are designed to save lives in our community and beyond. We are putting together an economic aid package for local businesses facing these necessary closures just as we have delivered support for housing, artists, food, Internet access, and other needs to our community during the crisis."

The proposed $5 million economic aid package will be presented to the City Council on Thursday, Dec. 17. It is intended to bridge the gap until state or federal aid becomes available.

"With no help or guidance from federal and state government in sight, the city and our community need to step up and support and protect each other," said City Council President Matthew McLaughlin.

Similar restrictions will be enacted in Boston this week, and Curtatone warned that officials are considering further action, including closing indoor dining spaces.

"To have the greatest public health impact, closing indoor dining needs to take place regionally, not town by town," Curtatone said. "If you can just cross the city line to eat in the community next door, border-hopping will just spur community spread of this deadly virus. Though it's a painful choice, many of us have been pressing for the cessation of indoor dining to slow the virus, and we hope very soon to see broad regional action on it."

Closing Wed., Dec. 17

• Indoor fitness centers and health clubs, including gyms using alternative spaces. One-on-one personal training sessions are allowed.
• Indoor non-athletic instructional classes in arts, education & life sciences for persons 18 years and older
• Indoor recreational and athletic facilities (except for youth 18 and under), indoor pools may remain open for all ages under pre-registration format structure limited to one person per swim lane
• Indoor recreational venues with potential for low-contact (for example, ax throwing, rock-climbing, etc.)

Remaining closed or restricted

• Outdoor theaters and outdoor performance venues
• Indoor theaters, arenas, and performance venues, including concert halls
• Museums
• Movie theaters
• Indoor live theaters
• Bowling facilities, arcades, and gaming spaces
• Indoor event spaces (meeting rooms, ballrooms, private party rooms, social clubs)
• Existing limits to pool usage remain in place

Open

• Office spaces may remain open at 40 percent capacity. Employers are strongly encouraged to allow employees to work from home as much as possible.
• Indoor dining in restaurants may remain in operation with restricted bar seating. Ancillary activities such as pool tables, darts, trivia, etc. remain prohibited. Bar seating remains closed.
• Existing restrictions, plans and safety plans remain in place for post-secondary, higher ed/ and vocational-tech/trade/occupational schools.
• Outdoor event spaces may be used for gatherings and celebrations under the Somerville current 10-person capacity limit.
• Motion picture, television and streaming production may continue to operate.

In a statement Monday, Curtatone encouraged residents to use takeout services at Somerville's restaurants or buy a gift card to a local business this holiday season. The public is also urged to limit non-essential activities and follow recommended health and safety guidelines, including wearing face coverings, social distancing, washing hands frequently and staying home.

"We understand it is difficult to keep track of all the different local and state regulations. The key thing people should remember is they should not gather indoors with people from outside their immediate household," Doug Kress, director of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. "Keep your circle as limited as possible and don’t share your air with anyone from outside of it. In any situation where you are outside your home, you should have a face covering on at all times. Different municipalities and the state may have a variety of regulations, but we are all acting to fight a clear and present danger to human lives. Please help break the chain of transmission of this virus."