BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has opened up the possibility of the state opening sooner than previously stated.
Gov. Baker said earlier this week that Massachusetts would fully reopen on Aug. 1, 2021.
But after the announcement from New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio on Thursday that his city would reopen on July 1, Gov. Baker was asked if it is possible for the state to reopen earlier.
"[It depends on] if people continue to do the right things," Baker said. "If people continue to do the work that we all know will reduce case counts, reduce hospitalizations, and make this commonwealth a safer better place, we’ll take a look at where we are and make a decision as we go about whether we can move that date up.”
Baker added that local communities still have a say about their own reopening plans that may differ from state rules.
“If people want to get more normal faster, go get vaccinated," he said.
The administration has said that Massachusetts has been leading the country so far in willingness to get vaccinated -- which may help with reopening.
"We felt we were sure we would be in a good place by August 1, but if the people in Massachusetts continue to be as aggressive and as enthusiastic about getting vaccinated as they've been, we may be able to do that sooner," Baker said.
As of Thursday, over 2.4 million people have been fully vaccinated against the virus in Massachusetts. The term "fully vaccinated" refers to people who have had both shots of either the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines, or one-shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)