The city’s work so far has included repaving Fort Street outside the Student Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant, as well as an ongoing project to expand the sidewalk outside Theodore’s Restaurant on Worthington Street. As Massachusetts lifts outdoor mask mandate, College protocols unchanged. The city also used state transportation funds for the Worthington Street project, estimated to cost $125,000. They can contact their local health department or submit the state’s COVID Safe Practices Concern Form. As it became clear in March 2020 that COVID-19 was spreading through Massachusetts, Gov. Restaurants can welcome singers back for live indoor performances on May 10, with strict distancing guidelines in place. “We are going to embrace our new business outside venture,” he said. ... RPI requiring COVID … Outdoor Space Approved For 4 Reading Businesses - Reading, MA - A new zoning bylaw passed by Town Meeting Monday was quickly put into action by the Community Planning and Development Commission. Crews had to brace the strong gusts through the evening. See the full list here. The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed by state health officials on February 1. ... Massachusetts COVID-19 Dashboard: 9 new deaths, 616 new cases Video / 1 day ago. The paving work was essential, he said; it cleared up potholes and puddles and provided a solid surface for tables and chairs. The Massachusetts restaurant checklist currently states that restaurants “will be allowed to maximize outdoor dining space, including patios and parking lots where available, where municipal approval is obtained.” Restaurants and patrons must follow the same guidelines for outdoor dining as indoor dining, but outdoor dining allowances will be made by individual municipalities, not the state. Last spring, some cities and towns pedestrianized entire streets to make room for outdoor dining, and others made outdoor dining available for the first time. From calm backyard patios to sexy roof decks, dine al fresco at these neighborhood restaurants and bars. “It will allow us to have a permanent space for outdoor dining. newsletter, The Eater Boston Outdoor Dining Guide for 2021, Where to eat outdoors when the weather is beautiful — or even when it’s not, Night Shift Will Expand Its Beer Garden Empire to Somerville’s Assembly Row, The next Owl’s Nest will debut this summer, featuring food from the Smoke Shop and pickleball and shuffleboard courts, 10 Utterly Delicious Udon Spots Around Boston, Where to eat bouncy, chewy noodles in a multitude of preparations, Littleburg, a Popular Vegan Pop-Up, Is Opening a Permanent Restaurant in Union Square, Owner Graham Boswell plans to launch with takeout and prepared meals but could expand to feature a small dining room in the coming years, Sign up for the For more on dining out after getting vaccinated, read this. “It was emerging pre COVID, but COVID has clearly put it front and center with the downtown restaurants.”. “People want to get outside.”. And as of March 1, there are no percentage-based capacity caps on restaurants. Fort Street will close to traffic, allowing for the installation of tents, tables with umbrellas and chairs, a small patio area and staging area for music, and a small beer tent, Perry said. “We have been able to hang on as best as we can,” Makarowski said. Subscribe now for instant access. This is all subject to change at any moment. Bar seating is permitted, but there are certain guidelines, in addition to those outlined above, that must be followed. See our updated list of hotels, things to do and attractions open for business.. MBTA Updates. Learn more. New daily cases of COVID-19 have dipped to their lowest levels since October and Massachusetts confirmed it has fully vaccinated more than half a million residents. COVID-19 spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, which travel through the air when people cough, sneeze, shout, talk, or sing. Because of the very high risk of exposure to Covid in Suffolk County, you should avoid outdoor bars. Discover convenient amenities within the community such as a newly renovated, state-of-the-art fitness center, sparkling outdoor heated swimming pool with sundeck, updated resident lounge, landscaped courtyards and barbecue area. Mayor Kim Janey explained the decision in a Twitter thread, writing: “The timeline for Boston’s continued reopening allows three weeks of additional time to vaccinate vulnerable residents, accommodate dense neighborhoods, and support complex business districts.”. SPRINGFIELD — As COVID-19 restrictions ease and the weather improves, some local restaurateurs are counting on road and sidewalk improvements to boost their plans for outdoor dining areas. Waltham's Moody Street Transforms Into Outdoor Dining Destination - Waltham, MA - For the second year in a row, Waltham has closed Moody Street to cars and opened it for restaurant-goers and shoppers. “We are really encouraged,” Sheehan said. They’re one of several restaurants expanding outdoor dining onto Moody Street on Saturday. Charlie Baker announced that the state would shut down its restaurants for onsite dining for at least three weeks. The state’s restaurant checklist encourages restaurants to obtain phone numbers for contact tracing when taking reservations or seating walk-in diners. “I think going outside is a great thing for all businesses, especially our business. That said, dining out still carries risks (the lion’s share of which are shouldered by restaurant workers), and diners are encouraged to only gather with members of their own household. To greet the official arrival of the season June 21, and to serve as a guide from now through the fall, here's a list of the 25 best outdoor dining destinations in the state, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. But please note: While there is a general consensus that outdoor dining is safer than indoor dining, there are still risks involved with the former. Fact-forward journalism on demand. These sector specific COVID-19 workplace safety standards for Restaurants are issued to provide owners, operators, workers, and patrons of restaurants with instructions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19. “As people get vaccinated, they seem to be a little more confident at coming out and eating inside as compared to only wanting to eat outside and take-out. Last spring, the city’s licensing board voted unanimously to make it easier for restaurants to create outdoor spaces, something it is doing again this year. Boston is taking a slower approach than the rest of the state with regard to bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries, and distilleries — such establishments won’t be permitted to reopen in the city until June 19, though the same rules will be in place. (Don Treeger / The Republican). What's Open in Boston. Unfortunately, if the outdoor dining requires stepping off a curb than it's not accessible to diners in wheelchairs or with mobility restrictions. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 5/1/2021). Massachusetts relaxed more restrictions on restaurants, live performance venues and other businesses as the state moved into Phase 3, Step 2 of its reopening plan. Keep an eye on the state’s restaurant safety standards and checklist for the most up-to-date information. All rights reserved (About Us). Sheehan told councilors he is hopeful that by August, the businesses in Springfield will at least be “moving back to normalcy in some way, shape or form.” The city will strive to get them to a pre-COVID position and to the next level, he said. A year ago, the Fort was just hoping for some success with its take-out orders. Studies show that when masks are worn correctly (which is to say over the nose and mouth, and snugly against the side of the face without gaps) they provide a barrier that helps prevent the spread of respiratory droplets from one person to another. That will change on May 29, however: As long as public health and vaccination data are still trending in the right direction, bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries, and distilleries that have not already been allowed to reopen will return. COVID reopening plans: Massachusetts bars and nightclubs allowed to reopen this summer. “The city has been committed to the dining district for some time and we’ve always wanted to advance with more activated outdoor dining,” Sheehan said. We encourage you to call restaurants ahead of time for details on ordering or to secure reservations! What Are Massachusetts’s COVID-19 Rules for Restaurants and Bars Right Now? required restaurants to close by 9:30 p.m. restaurant safety standards and checklist, The Eater Boston 38: Essential Restaurants, Scorpion bowls and other giant cocktails to share, After-work dining deals (Boston’s version of happy hour), The Best New Restaurants in Boston to Try Right Now, Cambridgeport, West Cambridge, and more, Cambridge, Porter Square, Cambridge (and a bit of Somerville), Roxbury Is the Spot for West African Food, Fried Chicken, Étouffée, and More. The restaurants are also anxiously awaiting eased restrictions, he said. Restaurants also must provide employees with personal protective equipment and sufficient cleaning supplies. Baker signed a bill in July 2020 permitting bars and restaurants to sell beer, wine, and cocktails to go with takeout and delivery orders. Indeed, the program resumed on March 22. Indoor Dining: Restaurants are permitted to offer indoor dining service by meeting mandatory safety standards and recommended best practices. Timothy Sheehan, the city’s chief development officer, told city councilors at a Tuesday meeting about ongoing efforts to help local businesses, including restaurants, during the pandemic. Because of the very high risk of exposure to Covid in Essex County, you should avoid outdoor bars. Additionally, tables must be positioned at least six feet apart from all other tables, unless they are separated by protective, nonporous barriers (walls or plexiglass dividers, for example) that are at least six feet high. As the weather continues to get warmer, more people will be welcomed at outdoor events. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 4/28/2021. Outdoor dining and music returning to Student Prince in Springfield Toggle header content. Last summer, the city created a temporary space for outdoor dining on Worthington Street. Reduced Service Alert . In the months that have passed since restaurants first reopened, COVID-19 guidance has shifted and changed many times. Before the pandemic, we never would have thought it was an option, but it seems like it’s coming to fruition.”, Part of Worthington Street in front of Theodore's in Springfield is under construction to create sidewalk dining space. (WWLP) – The outdoor mask mandate eases in Massachusetts Friday but that doesn’t mean face coverings are gone for good. It is especially important to wear masks indoors, and around people you do not live with (restaurant dining rooms being a prime example). Maddy Lawler May 5, 2021. When the state eventually allowed restaurants to reopen indoors, it implemented 50 percent capacity caps on dining rooms and issued another lengthy list of strict health and safety guidelines. Bars are a bit more complicated. Many restaurants have expanded their service to include outdoor table service as well as take out & delivery. Be sure to check out the list below and call ahead to confirm availability. newsletter, another lengthy list of strict health and safety guidelines, permitting bars and restaurants to sell beer, wine, and cocktails to go, shrink dining room capacities to 25 percent in December, expand dining room capacities to 40 percent, hard to judge the efficacy of those measures, made outdoor dining available for the first time. All seated table service must be limited to 90 minutes, and party size cannot exceed six diners. Outdoor dining is widely available. Outdoor dining came later and was limited, Perry said. Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries: Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health. The local board of health may require the restaurant to test all of its workers for COVID-19 before it can resume operations. Program: WBZ News Weekends Categories: News, Local News, WBZTV. Here are the COVID-19 restrictions being loosened in Massachusetts starting Monday By Shannon Larson Globe Staff, Updated May 10, 2021, 12:22 a.m. Email to a Friend (Especially given that restaurant workers only became eligible for the vaccine on March 22, meaning that it will still take some time before the majority of the industry is fully vaccinated.).