BOSTON (State House News Service) — The threat of COVID-19 transmission will be "with us for a very long time," Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday.
Baker said that until a vaccine is developed, any discussions around reopening the economy must focus on what can be done safely. The governor said child care and transportation will be "key enablers" of a safe and successful economic reopening.
The economic reopening advisory board co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy has now spoken with 23 different industry associations and community coalitions, representing more than 1.4 million workers, Baker said. They've also received more than 475 submissions of written testimony.
The advisory board faces a May 18 reporting deadline, and Polito said they will put out a phased reopening plan that day.
"It doesn't mean that the economy across our commonwealth will just reopen," she said, while acknowledging there is a "sense of urgency" as employers struggle to keep their businesses afloat.
By Katie Lannan, State House News Service
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