MA Gov. Baker Issues Stay-at-Home Advisory, Closes All Non-Essential Businesses
GoLocalProv News Team
MA Gov. Baker Issues Stay-at-Home Advisory, Closes All Non-Essential Businesses
The order will take effect at noon on Tuesday, March 24 and remain in effect until April 7.
“Every single act of distancing has a purpose. There is purpose in these drastic changes to the way we live,” said Baker in a press conference on Monday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs of Sunday, March 22, there are 646 cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts.
As GoLocalProv reported, there have been five deaths due to the virus.
Stay at Home Advisory
Baker directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory as part of several self-isolation and social distancing protocols.
According to the Baker administration, it was not necessary to issue a stay-at-home order.
“I don’t believe I can or should order U.S. citizens to be confined to their homes for days on end,” said Baker.
Massachusetts residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during the two-week period.
Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.
Non-Essential Businesses to Close
Baker issued a list of designated businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19 that will continue to operate facilities during this two-week time period.
See the List Below
Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order.
These businesses are encouraged to continue operations remotely.
Restaurants, bars, and other establishments that sell food and beverage products to the public are encouraged to continue to offer food for take-out and by delivery, if they follow the social distancing protocols set by the Department of Public Health guidance.
Categories of COVID-19 Essential Services:
- Health Care & Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety & First Responders
- Food & Agriculture
- Critical Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Energy
- Water & Wastewater
- Public Works
- Communications and Information Technology
- Financial Services
- Defense Industry Base
- Chemical Manufacturing & Hazardous Materials
- Other Designated Community Based Essential Function & Government Operations
- News Media