Town of Cohasset Provides Update on Reopening Guidelines as State Moves to Step 2 of Phase III of Reopening Plan

COHASSET — The Town of Cohasset and the Cohasset Department of Health would like to share the latest information regarding the state’s reopening plan and how it relates to Town businesses and municipal facilities.

Last week the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts would advance to Step 2 of Phase III of the state’s reopening plan on Monday, March 1, and also announced its plan to transition to Step 1 of Phase IV on Monday, March 22 provided public health metrics continue to improve.

With public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction, including drops in average daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates, the state is taking steps to continue to reopen many sectors.

Beginning today, March 1, the following goes into effect: 

• There will be no capacity limits at restaurants, but six feet of distancing, six person maximum per seating and a 90 minute maximum dining length per party will still be followed.
• There will be a 50% capacity limit at fitness centers, close contact personal services, places of worship, office spaces, museums/cultural/historic facilities, and other venues.
• Fitting rooms can reopen in retail locations.
• Additional changes are detailed here. 

Beginning March 22, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings are set to increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people.

Additionally, dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only, and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. Exhibition and convention halls may also begin to operate, following gatherings limits and event protocols.

As the Cohasset Department of Health continues to monitor the active case count in Town, Cohasset Town Hall will remain open on a limited access basis, with appointments preferred. Plans for re-opening the Paul Pratt Memorial Library beyond the long-running curbside pick-up program, as well as for the Cohasset Senior Center, remain under review.

“Our top priority is and always has been the health and safety of our residents, and we will continue to monitor case counts while determining our specific reopening recommendations,” Health Director Pamela Fahey said. “It is encouraging that the state is moving forward with advancing its reopening plan, however we urge all residents to continue to be safe and wear a mask when in public and practice proper social distancing so that we can continue to progress toward a return to normal.”

Stay Informed

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.

To view the Town of Cohasset’s COVID-19 news and information website, click here.

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