Gov. Charlie Baker said he\u2019s \u201cstill looking at the data\u201d to determine when the state will roll out phase 3 of its coronavirus reopening plan — which could start as early as Monday.<\/b>
\nGov. Charlie Baker said he\u2019s \u201cstill looking at the data\u201d to determine when the state will roll out phase 3 of the coronavirus reopening plan \u2014 which could start as early as Monday.
But, he added, the numbers are looking good enough to open up the borders to visitors from seven Northeast states just in time for the July Fourth holiday. Baker\u2019s comments come as other states pull back on reopening plans amid a surge in coronavirus cases nationwide.
\u201cThere\u2019s plenty of evidence not just around this country, but around the globe, of places where people have let down their guard and the virus has come roaring back,\u201d the governor said Tuesday during a briefing at the State House.
\u201cWe are still looking at the data and we\u2019ll have more to say about this by the end of the week, which is what we originally committed to,\u201d Baker said.
The third phase of Baker\u2019s four-phase plan \u2014 when casinos, museums, gyms and movie theaters will be allowed to reopen \u2014 has already seen a one-week delay after Baker split phase 2 into a two-part rollout.
Governors in other states have hit the brakes on reopening plans in recent days after new cases skyrocketed in California, Arizona, Texas and Florida.
Baker did share some good news with local travelers ahead of the Fourth of July weekend: Anyone coming to Massachusetts from Northeastern states less-affected by coronavirus will be \u201cexempt\u201d from a 14-day self-quarantine advisory beginning right away, he said.
\u201cSurrounding states \u2014 like Massachusetts \u2014 are seeing significant declines in cases and new hospitalizations,\u201d Baker said.
The change in guidance applies to people coming into the state from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Meanwhile, in response to mounting calls to stave off an expected \u201ctidal wave\u201d of evictions after a temporary ban expires, the Baker administration announced a new $20 million housing assistance program Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said would \u201cprovide housing stability.\u201d Low-income renters struggling to pay rents or mortgages amid the pandemic will be eligible to collect up to $4,000.
Baker said he isn\u2019t bending to pressure to extend the moratorium that is slated to expire on Aug.18 saying, \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re in a position to make a decision on that today.\u201d
But a group of legislators is taking matters into their own hands, filing a bill Tuesday that would extend the moratorium on evictions and freeze rents at pre-pandemic rates for one year after the governor lifts the current public health emergency. The legislation would also protect homeowners and small landlords with 15 or fewer units by creating a fund to help cover costs amid the pandemic.<\/p>\n