SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — After weeks of delays, Somerville now enters Phase 3 of the Massachusetts reopening plan on Tuesday—about two months later than the rest of the state.
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone announced the decision in a statement last Thursday—providing a short list of certain businesses that will be allowed to reopen.
The list of approved businesses includes fitness centers, yoga studios, martial arts centers and non-athletic instructional classes for things like music, language and art.
The move for the city to catch up to the rest of the state comes as COVID-19 numbers begin to look better in the area, along with surrounding towns.
One Somerville resident said she approves of the Mayor delaying Phase 3, but she is happy to see local businesses return to operation.
“I worry about the businesses,” she said. “I worry about their livelihoods. But no, I think he’s trying to take very careful steps to keeping the community safe.”
Each business that plans on reopening must have a city-approved health and safety plan. Some measures include a 10-person cap on indoor and outdoor gatherings (including staff) and mandatory face coverings at all times.
Places like movie theaters, outdoor theaters and museums are still on hold—with no guidance on when they will be next to reopen.
Movie and streaming productions, however, are now approved to film in the city again.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports.
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