Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Massachusetts)

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Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:

• Changes to election dates and procedures in 2020
• Initial stay-at-home orders
• Executive orders
• Coronavirus-related legislation in 2020
• Changes to the state's 2020 legislative session
• Court closures
• The release of inmates
• Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies

Additionally, the article includes:

• Arguments related to the state's response to the coronavirus
• Individual industries and activities from May 15 through July 31
• The state's initial plan to reopen from March and April 2020 closures
• Coronavirus resources relevant to the state.

To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.

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Documenting_STATE%27s_path_to_recovery_from_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020-2021

Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

General election changes

Massachusetts modified its absentee/mail-in procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

• Absentee/mail-in voting: Absentee/mail-in voting eligibility was extended to all qualified voters in the general election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Primary election changes

Massachusetts modified its primary election process as follows:

• Voting procedures: Mail-in ballot applications to all voters in the state's September 1 primary election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.

• Massachusetts election changes (click to expand)

  July 14, 2020: Mail-in ballot applications to be sent automatically to all voters in the fall primary election

  On July 14, 2020, a spokesperson for Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (D) confirmed that his office was proceeding with plans to send mail-in ballot applications to all voters in the state's September 1, 2020, primary election.

  July 6, 2020: Governor signs bill extending absentee/mail-in voting eligibility to all qualified voters in the fall primary, general elections

  On July 6, 2020, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed into law legislation extending vote-by-mail eligibility in the fall primary and general elections to all qualified voters. The law also established an in-person early voting period for both the primary and general elections (August 22-28 for the primary, and October 17-30 for the general election).

  April 17, 2020: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court modifies candidate filing requirements

  On April 17, 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an order extending the candidate filing deadlines for district and county races to May 5, 2020, and June 2, 2020, respectively. The high court reduced candidate petition signatures requirements to 50 percent of their statutory requirements. The court also authorized candidates to collect petition signatures electronically. Chief Justice Ralph Gants penned the court's unanimous opinion. Justice Scott Kafker wrote a concurring opinion.

  March 23, 2020: Massachusetts lawmakers order postponement of four special state legislative elections

  On March 23, 2020, the Massachusetts General Court ordered the postponement of four special state legislative elections, originally scheduled for March 31, 2020:

  • Massachusetts State Senate Second Hampden & Hampshire District postponed to May 19, 2020
  • Massachusetts State Senate Plymouth & Barnstable District postponed to May 19, 2020
  • Massachusetts House of Representatives Third Bristol District postponed to June 2, 2020
  • Massachusetts House of Representatives Thirty-seventh Middlesex District postponed to June 2, 2020

  March 23, 2020: Massachusetts authorizes postponement of municipal elections, expands absentee voting eligibility

  On March 23, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed S2608 into law, authorizing municipalities to postpone any elections originally scheduled to take place prior to May 30, 2020, to any date on or before June 30, 2020. The legislation also extended absentee voting eligibility to "any person taking precaution related to COVID-19 in response to a declared state of emergency or from guidance from a medical professional, local or state health official, or any civil authority" for elections held or before June 30, 2020. The full text of the legislation is provided below.

  “

  SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 9 of chapter 39, sections 26 and 28 of chapter 51 and chapters 53 and 54 of the General Laws or any other general or special law or by-law to the contrary, any city or town with any municipal caucus or annual or special municipal election scheduled between the effective date of this act and May 30, 2020, may postpone such municipal caucus or municipal election in accordance with this act. The select board, town council, board of registrars or city council of the city or town may vote on any day prior to the date of their scheduled municipal caucus or municipal election to postpone the municipal caucus or municipal election to a date certain on or before June 30, 2020. Such rescheduled caucus or election shall be held in accordance with all applicable election laws except as otherwise provided in this act. (b) The select board, town council or city council of a city or town postponing a municipal caucus or municipal election pursuant to this act shall, following consultation with the local election official and the chief operating officer of the municipality as to logistics and feasibility, vote to reschedule the municipal caucus or municipal election. A copy of this act, the vote of the select board, town council or city council and a sample ballot shall be placed on the official municipal website not later than 20 days before the date to which the rescheduled caucus or election has been postponed. Notice of such action shall be provided to the public in other ways reasonably calculated to enable eligible voters to learn of the rescheduled election date and to cast ballots therein. The notice may include, but shall not be limited to, a “reverse-911” call, municipal list-serve notifications, advertisement on local cable television or issuance of a press release sent to local news media. (c) Consistent with section 107 of chapter 41 of the General Laws, an incumbent elected official whose term would have expired at a municipal annual town election if the election was not postponed pursuant to this act shall continue to serve in the official’s position until a successor is elected and qualified. (d) If this act does not take effect until after the date of a scheduled municipal caucus or municipal election during the state of emergency declared by the governor pursuant to executive order 591, Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19, the actions of the board of selectmen, town council, city council and local election officials to postpone a municipal caucus or municipal election shall be ratified, validated and confirmed as if this act had been in place prior thereto. SECTION 2. The last day to register to vote for any annual or special municipal or state election postponed pursuant to this act or otherwise postponed in response to COVID-19 shall be 10 days before the date to which the rescheduled election has been postponed; provided, however, that the board of registrars shall hold a registration session on that date not less than from 2 PM to 4 PM and from 7 PM to 8 PM. The voting list to be used at such rescheduled election shall include all eligible voters registered as of that date. SECTION 3. The caucus or election materials, including, but not limited to, absentee and official ballots, prepared for a municipal caucus or any annual or special municipal or state election postponed pursuant to this act or otherwise postponed in response to COVID-19 and bearing that date shall be used for the rescheduled caucus or election to the extent practicable. If additional ballots are required to be printed, the ballots shall be identical in form to those prepared for the original caucus or election. SECTION 4. Absentee ballots cast in connection with the original election date for any annual or special municipal or state election postponed pursuant to this act or otherwise postponed in response to COVID-19, whether returned before the original election or otherwise, and received by the local election official before the close of polls on the date of the rescheduled election, shall be processed in accordance with applicable law; provided, however, that any voter who chooses to vote in person on the date of the rescheduled election may do so if their absentee ballot has not yet been counted. Completed applications to vote by absentee ballot in the rescheduled election shall be accepted by the board of registrars until 12:00 noon on the last business day before the rescheduled election. For an election held on or before June 30, 2020 any person taking precaution related to COVID-19 in response to a declared state of emergency or from guidance from a medical professional, local or state health official, or any civil authority shall be deemed to be unable by reason of physical disability to cast their vote in person at a polling location.

  ”

Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4

See also: States with lockdown and stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On March 23, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) issued COVID-19 Order No. 13, which directed individuals in the state to stay at home unless performing essential activities and placed restrictions on non-essential businesses. The order was originally set to expire on April 7. On March 31, Baker extended the order through May 4. On April 28, Baker extended the order through May 18, at which point it expired.

Following the release of the proclamation, the State released a document showing the list of essential businesses and industries that would be permitted to remain open. The information below lists those businesses and industries.

“

Health Care/ Public Health / Human Services Workers providing COVID-19 testing; Workers that perform critical clinical research needed for COVID-19 response Medical Professionals and caregivers (e.g., physicians, dentists, psychologists, mid-level practitioners, nurses and assistants, infection control and quality assurance personnel, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists and assistants, social workers, speech pathologists and diagnostic and therapeutic technicians and technologists, other providers of mental and behavioral health care, personal care attendants, home health aides and home care workers) Hospital and laboratory personnel (including accounting, administrative, admitting and discharge, engineering, epidemiological, source plasma and blood donation, food service, housekeeping, medical records, information technology and operational technology, nutritionists, sanitarians, respiratory therapists, etc.) Workers in other medical facilities (including Ambulatory Health and Surgical, Blood Banks, Medical Clinics, Community Mental Health Centers, Methadone/OBOT Clinics, 24 hour Diversionary and Residential Behavioral Health Providers, Comprehensive Outpatient rehabilitation, End Stage Renal Disease, Health Departments, Home Health care, Hospices, Hospitals, Nursing Facilities, Rest Homes, Assisted Living Residences, Organ Pharmacies, Procurement Organizations, Psychiatric Residential, Residential Treatment Schools, Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Center s and Community Health Centers, State Hospitals, and licensed medical marijuana retailers) Workers in other 24/7 community resident services serving children and youth, and individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical and/or cognitive disabilities Manufacturers, technicians, logistics and warehouse operators, and distributors of or necessary to the supply chain of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products Public health / community health workers, including those who compile, model, analyze and communicate public health information Blood and plasma donors and the employees of the organizations that operate and manage related activities Workers that manage health plans, billing, and health information, who cannot practically work remotely Workers who conduct community-based public health functions, conducting epidemiologic surveillance, compiling, analyzing and communicating public health information, who cannot practically work remotely Workers performing cybersecurity functions at healthcare and public health facilities, who cannot practically work remotely Workers conducting research critical to COVID-19 response Workers performing security, incident management, and emergency operations functions at or on behalf of healthcare entities including healthcare coalitions, who cannot practically work remotely Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, such as those residing in shelters Pharmacy employees necessary for filling prescriptions Workers performing mortuary services and workers at funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries Workers who coordinate with other organizations to ensure the proper recovery, handling, identification, transportation, tracking, storage, and disposal of human remains and personal effects; certify cause of death; and facilitate access to mental/behavioral health services to the family members, responders, and survivors of an incident Law Enforcement, Public Safety, First Responders Personnel in emergency management, law enforcement, Emergency Management Systems, fire, and corrections, including front line and management required to maintain operations Emergency Medical Technicians 911 call center employees, including telecommunicators, dispatchers and managers Fusion Center employees Hazardous material responders from government and the private sector. Workers – including contracted vendors -- who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting law enforcement and emergency service operations. Food and Agriculture Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail, including farmers markets and farm stands, that sells food and beverage products, including liquor stores Restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations - Carry-out and delivery food employees Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs Workers supporting the seafood and fishing industry Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail Company cafeterias - in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees; food service workers in residential schools with students who are unable to leave campus Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce Organizations and workers responsible for the care and custody of animals, pets and livestock Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution Energy Electricity industry: Workers who maintain, ensure, or restore the reliable generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power, including call centers, utility workers, reliability engineers and fleet maintenance technicians Workers needed for safe and secure operations at nuclear generation Workers at generation, transmission and electric blackstart facilities Workers at Reliability Coordinator (RC), Balancing Authorities (BA), and primary and backup Control Centers (CC), including but not limited to independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, and balancing authorities Mutual assistance personnel IT and OT technology staff – for EMS (Energy Management Systems) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and utility data centers; Cybersecurity engineers; cybersecurity risk management Vegetation management crews and traffic workers who support Environmental remediation/monitoring technicians Instrumentation, protection, and control technicians Petroleum workers: Petroleum product storage, pipeline, marine transport, terminals, rail transport, road transport Crude oil storage facilities, pipeline, and marine transport Petroleum refinery facilities Petroleum security operations center employees and workers who support emergency response services Petroleum operations control rooms/centers Petroleum drilling, extraction, production, processing, refining, terminal operations, transporting, and retail for use as end-use fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing Onshore and offshore operations for maintenance and emergency response Retail fuel centers such as gas stations and truck stops, and the distribution systems that support them Natural and propane gas workers: Natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines, including compressor stations, and road transport Underground storage of natural gas Natural gas processing plants, and those that deal with natural gas liquids Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities Natural gas security operations center, natural gas operations dispatch and control rooms/centers natural gas emergency response and customer emergencies, including natural gas leak calls Drilling, production, processing, refining, and transporting natural gas for use as end-use fuels, feedstocks for chemical manufacturing, or use in electricity generation Propane gas dispatch and control rooms and emergency response and customer emergencies, including propane leak calls Propane gas service maintenance and restoration, including call centers Processing, refining, and transporting natural liquids, including propane gas, for use as end-use fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing Propane gas storage, transmission, and distribution centers Steam workers: Workers who support steam distribution companies’ provision of district heating and any electric generation Workers who support steam distribution companies’ dispatch and control rooms and emergency response and customer emergencies, including steam leak calls Workers who support steam distribution companies’ service maintenance and restoration, including call centers Workers who support steam distribution companies’ storage, transmission, and distribution centers Waste and Wastewater Employees needed to operate and maintain public and private drinking water and wastewater/drainage infrastructure, including: Operational staff at water authorities Operational staff at community water systems Operational staff at wastewater treatment facilities Workers repairing water and wastewater conveyances and performing required sampling or monitoring Operational staff for water distribution and testing Operational staff at wastewater collection facilities Operational staff and technical support for SCADA Control systems Chemical disinfectant suppliers for wastewater and personnel protection Workers that maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting water and wastewater operations Transportation and Logistics Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers that maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-border travel) Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use Mass transit and passenger rail workers, including contracted vendors providing transportation and maintenance services to public transit authorities Workers critical to operating rental car companies and Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) that facilitate continuity of operations for essential workforces, and other essential travel Workers responsible for operating dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains and public transportation and buses and maintaining rail and transit infrastructure and equipment Maritime transportation workers - port workers, mariners, equipment operators Truck drivers who haul hazardous and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services Automotive repair and maintenance facilities Workers who respond to and clear traffic crashes, including contracted vendors and dispatchers Manufacturers and distributors (to include service centers and related operations) of packaging materials, pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies Workers who support moving and storage services Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers, ramp personnel, aviation security, and aviation management and other workers – including contracted vendors – providing services for air passengers Workers who support the maintenance and operation of cargo by air transportation, including flight crews, maintenance, airport operations, and other on- and off- airport facilities workers Public Works Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential dams, locks and levees Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including roads and bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues Workers – including contracted vendors – involved in the construction of critical or strategic infrastructure including public works construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, nuclear, oil refining and other critical energy services, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, and internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services) Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, inspectors and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, construction sites and projects, and needed facilities Support, such as road and line clearing and utility relocation, to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications Support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and hazardous waste Licensed site clean-up professionals and other workers addressing hazardous spills, waste sites, and remediation. Workers who support the operation, maintenance and public safety of state parks, forests, wildlife management areas, water supply protection lands, and other critical natural resources. Workers who support storm clean-up operations (e.g., foresters). Communications and Information Technology Communications: Maintenance of communications infrastructure- including privately owned and maintained communication systems- supported by technicians, operators, call-centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, undersea cable landing stations, Internet Exchange Points, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment Workers who support radio, television, and media service, including, but not limited to front line news reporters, studio, and technicians for newsgathering and reporting Workers at Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations, and Network Operations staff, engineers and/or technicians to manage the network or operate facilities Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables Installation, maintenance and repair technicians that establish, support or repair service as needed Central office personnel to maintain and operate central office, data centers, and other network office facilities Customer service and support staff, including managed and professional services as well as remote providers of support to transitioning employees to set up and maintain home offices, who interface with customers to manage or support service environments and security issues, including payroll, billing, fraud, and troubleshooting Dispatchers involved with service repair and restoration Information Technology: Workers who support command centers, including, but not limited to Network Operations Command Center, Broadcast Operations Control Center and Security Operations Command Center Data center operators, including system administrators, HVAC & electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers, data transfer solutions engineers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators Client service centers, field engineers, and other technicians supporting critical infrastructure, as well as manufacturers and supply chain vendors that provide hardware and software, and information technology equipment (to include microelectronics and semiconductors) for critical infrastructure Workers responding to cyber incidents involving critical infrastructure, including medical facilities, SLTT governments and federal facilities, energy and utilities, and banks and financial institutions, and other critical infrastructure categories and personnel Workers supporting the provision of essential global, national and local infrastructure for computing services (incl. cloud computing services), business infrastructure, web-based services, and critical manufacturing Workers supporting communications systems and information technology used by law enforcement, public safety, medical, energy and other critical industries Support required for continuity of services, including janitorial/cleaning personnel Other Community-Based Essential Functions and Government Operations Workers to ensure continuity of building functions, including local and state inspectors and administrative support of inspection services who are responsible for the inspection of elevators, escalators, lifts, buildings, plumbing and gas fitting, electrical work, and other safety related professional work Security staff to maintain building access control and physical security measures Elections personnel Federal, State, and Local, Tribal, and Territorial employees who support Mission Essential Functions and communications networks Trade Officials (FTA negotiators; international data flow administrators) Weather forecasters Workers that maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting other critical government operations Workers at operations centers necessary to maintain other essential functions Workers who support necessary credentialing, vetting and licensing operations for transportation workers including holders of Commercial Drivers Licenses Workers who are critical to facilitating trade in support of the national, state and local emergency response supply chain Educators and staff supporting public and private emergency childcare programs, residential schools for students with disabilities, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for purposes of facilitating distance learning, provision of school meals, or performing other essential student support functions, if operating under rules for social distancing Hotel workers Critical government workers, as defined by the employer and consistent with Continuity of Operations Plans Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction) Workers that provide services for or determine eligibility for public benefits such as subsidized health care, food and feeding programs, residential and congregate care programs, shelter, in-home supportive services, child welfare, juvenile justice programs, adult protective services and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals (including family members) Workers in sober homes Professional services (such as legal and accounting services) and payroll and employee benefit services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities and critical sector services or where failure to provide such services during the time of the order would result in significant prejudice Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers Laundromats and laundry services Workers and instructors supporting academies and training facilities and courses for the purpose of graduating students and cadets that comprise the essential workforce for all identified critical sectors Workers at places of worship Critical Manufacturing Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains including personal protective equipment and hygiene products, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base. Hazardous Materials Workers at nuclear facilities, workers managing medical waste, workers managing waste from pharmaceuticals and medical material production, and workers at laboratories processing test kits Workers who support hazardous materials response and cleanup Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting hazardous materials management operations Financial Services Workers who are needed to process and maintain systems for processing financial transactions and services (e.g., payment, clearing, and settlement; wholesale funding; insurance services; and capital markets activities) Workers who are needed to provide consumer access to banking and lending services, including ATMs, and to move currency and payments (e.g., armored cash carriers) Workers who support financial operations, such as those staffing data and security operations centers Chemical Workers supporting the chemical and industrial gas supply chains, including workers at chemical manufacturing plants, workers in laboratories, workers at distribution facilities, workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to the producers of industrial and consumer goods, including hand sanitizers, food and food additives, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and paper products. Workers supporting the safe transportation of chemicals, including those supporting tank truck cleaning facilities and workers who manufacture packaging items Workers supporting the production of protective cleaning and medical solutions, personal protective equipment, and packaging that prevents the contamination of food, water, medicine, among others essential products Workers supporting the operation and maintenance of facilities (particularly those with high risk chemicals and/or sites that cannot be shut down) whose work cannot be done remotely and requires the presence of highly trained personnel to ensure safe operations, including plant contract workers who provide inspections Workers who support the production and transportation of chlorine and alkali manufacturing, single-use plastics, and packaging that prevents the contamination or supports the continued manufacture of food, water, medicine, and other essential products, including glass container manufacturing Defense Industrial Base Workers who support the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military. These individuals, include but are not limited to, aerospace; mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing/production workers; IT support; security staff; security personnel; intelligence support, aircraft and weapon system mechanics and maintainers Personnel working for companies, and their subcontractors, who perform under contract to the Department of Defense providing materials and services to the Department of Defense, and government-owned/contractor-operated and government-owned/government-operated facilities

”

Executive orders, March 30 through June 29

See also: Executive orders issued by governors and state agencies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

• State of Emergency declared
• Order Prohibiting Gatherings of More than 250 People
• Order Extending the Registration of Certain Licensed Health Care Professionals
• Order Expanding Access to Physician Services
• Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding the Administration of Certain Medications for the Treatment of Opiod Use Disorder
• Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding the Flexible Reassignment of Physician Assistants
• Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Providing for Continuity of Emergency Medical Services Care
• Order temporarily closing all public and private Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Order expanding access to telehealth services and to protect health care providers
• Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law
• Sharing of Critical Information with First Responders haring of critical information with first responders
• Temporarily Closing all Child Care Programs
• Ordering nonessential businesses and organizations to close their physical workspaces and facilities to customers, workers and the public
• Ordering Permitting the Temporary Conditional Deferral of Certain Inspections of Residential Real Estate
• Order Authorizing Actions to Reduce In-Person Transactions Associated with the Licensing, Registration and Inspection of Motor Vehicles
• Department of Public Health Order Regarding Modification of Certain Requirements for Inspections by the Chief Medical Examiner
• Department of Public Health Order Permitting Facilities Licensed by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to Create and Donate Hand Sanitizer to Certain Entities
• Emergency Order Ordering Nonessential Businesses and Organizations to Close their Physical Workspaces and Facilities to Customers, Workers and the Public
• Department of Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Provision of Day Program Services Provided in Group Settings
• Department of Public Health Issued an Emergency Order Regarding Provision of Day Program Services Provided in Group Settings
• Department of Public Health Issued an Emergency Order Regarding Modifications to Pharmacy Practice
• Department of Public Health Issued an Emergency Order Exempting Certain Activities from Determination of Need Approval, that are Necessary to Address COVID-19
• Department of Public Health Issued an Emergency Order Exempting Hospitals from the Nurse Staffing Requirements of M.G.L. c. 111, §231
• Department of Public Health Issued an Emergency Order Addressing Operation of Grocery Stores and Pharmacies
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order addressing independent prescriptive practice for advanced practice registered nurses
• Emergency order extending certain professional licenses, permits, and registrations issued by Commonwealth agencies
• Emergency order suspending state permitting deadlines and extending the validity of state permits
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order regarding long-term care facility resident transfers and discharges
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order expanding the availability of certain health care providers
• Emergency order authorizing the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to adjust essential provider rates.
• Emergency order regarding the conduct of shareholder meetings by public companies
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order authorizing DPH’s Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management to conduct BORI checks on volunteers who register with MA Responds to respond to the COVID-19 emergency without a notarized CORI Acknowledgement Form
• Order extending the prohibition on gatherings of 10 or more people until May 4
• Order extending the closure of non-essential businesses and organizations for in-person operations until May 4
• Department of Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Administration of Certain Medications in Community Programs
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order regarding the provision of skilled nursing care in Assisted Living Residences
• Department of Public Health issued an updated order permitting licensed pharmacies to create and sell hand sanitizer over the counter
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order relative to expanded practice by advanced practice registered nurses at Department of Mental Health facilities
• Department of Public Health issued guidance related to the operation of nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, and agricultural supply stores
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order regarding the COVID Pharmacy Assistance Team
• Department of Public Health issued an order regarding submission of written follow up procedures for oral prescriptions
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order regarding grocery store operations and occupancy limits
• Department of Public Health issued an emergency order regarding collection of complete demographic information on patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
• Emergency order mandating that insurers cover all medically required costs of COVID-19 treatment in out-of-network hospitals and or other medical facilities with no cost to the patient
• Emergency order authorizing nursing practice by nursing school graduates and students in their final semester of nursing education programs
• Emergency order providing accelerated licensing of physicians educated in foreign medical schools
• Emergency order authorizing the creation of and operation of emergency residential programs and emergency placement agencies for children
• Emergency order regarding crisis standards of care (CSC)

Court closures, March 17 through November 4

See also: State court closures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

• October 19, 2020: Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Cary announced that jury trials would begin no earlier than November 9. The first phase of jury trials had been previously scheduled to begin no earlier than October 23.
• September 17, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court issued an order laying out the details of its three-phase plan to resume jury trials. The first phase is expected to begin no earlier than October 23, and could involve a series of pilot trials at various courts around the state. Phase 2 could begin February, 2021, and involve the empanelment of 12-person juries. Phase 3, which was not given a start date, would allow all Massachusetts courts to conduct jury trials.
• August 4, 2020: The Jury Management Advisory Committee, assembled by the Massachusetts Supreme Court, released recommendations for resuming jury trials. The Committee recommended a phased resumption of jury trials, with the first phase beginning in mid-August at one location.
• July 13, 2020: Effective July 13, visitors can enter Massachusetts Courthouses subject to restrictions put in place by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Everyone over the age of two is required to wear a face covering, and social distancing of at least six feet is mandatory. Everyone entering a courthouse will be required to answer health screening questions and have their temperature taken. Anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will not be permitted to enter the courthouse.
• June 24, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court announced that it planned to re-open courthouses to the public beginning July 13.
• May 26, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings through July 1. Judges will begin hearing non-emergency cases remotely. Jury trials in criminal and civil cases will be delayed until at least September 8. Civil and criminal bench trials are postponed until July 1, unless the trials can be held remotely.
• April 27, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings though June 1, and suspended jury trials through July 1, effective May 4.
• April 3, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings and suspension of jury trials through May 4.
• March 17, 2020: State officials announced that all courts would close to the public from March 18 to April 6 and that all civil and criminal jury trials scheduled between March 18 and April 17 would be continued to April 21.
• March 15, 2020: Courts statewide closed as a result of Gov. Charlie Baker 's (R) limit on gatherings of more than 25 people.

Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

No modifications to state legislative activity in Massachusetts were made.

Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19

See also: State laws in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Massachusetts. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24

See also: Changes to rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

• October 17, 2020: Gov. Charlie Baker (R) allowed the statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures to expire.
• July 21, 2020: Gov. Charlie Baker (R) extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures an additional 60 days. The moratorium was set to expire on October 17, 2020..
• June 11, 2020: Two landlords petitioned Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court challenging the state’s moratorium on evictions during the coronavirus pandemic. In April, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed a law that halted most nonessential housing removals through Aug. 18 or 45 days after the expiration of his state of emergency. Baker could choose to extend the moratorium for 90 days, so long as it was not more than 45 days past the expiration of the state of emergency. The plaintiffs alleged the moratorium left them unable to recoup financial losses. They also alleged the law violates both Massachusetts and the U.S. Constitution as it infringed on their rights to access state courts and enforce contracts.
• April 20, 2020: Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill that placed a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in the state of Massachusetts. The moratorium applied to residential and small commercial and was set to expire in 120 days or 45 days after the end of the state of emergency, whichever came first.
• April 2, 2020: The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill which would prohibit foreclosures and evictions during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill was sent to the Massachusetts State Senate.
• March 13, 2020: The Massachusetts legislature issued "An Act providing for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID19 Emergency," preventing evictions by sheriffs and constables and suspending foreclosures on residential property.

Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1

See also: State and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

• June 2, 2020: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declined a request to release sentenced inmates due to coronavirus. The court said that while incarceration increases the risk of contacting coronavirus, it does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. The court did rule that those committed to addiction treatment involuntarily could seek immediate release. The court’s decision follows a request for a preliminary injunction filed by Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts.
• May 28, 2020:
• May 20, 2020: Plymouth County and Norfolk county jails have reduced their inmate populations by 20 percent. The reduction follows an April 5 order from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which authorized the release of people being held in county jails pretrial for nonviolent offenses, and technical and parole violations.
• May 5, 2020: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court released a report stating that 993 inmates have been released from the state’s prison and jails since April 3, though the report does not make it clear how many inmates were released because of the pandemic or how many were released due to their sentences ending.
• April 22, 2020: According to a new report, 637 inmates have been released from Massachusetts state prisons and county jails since April 5, following an April 3 order from the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
• April 14, 2020: State prisons and county jails in Massachusetts have released 367 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic. The releases follow an April 3 order from the Massachusetts Supreme Court, which directed officials to release most people being held in jail pretrial.
• April 3, 2020: The Massachusetts Supreme Court ordered most people being held in jail pretrial be released on their own recognizance due to coronavirus. The order also prohibited the release of certain inmate populations, including those charged with violent, sex or drug trafficking crimes. A few counties have released incarcerated individuals on the local level.

Debate in Massachusetts over responses to the coronavirus

See also: Debate in Massachusetts over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Massachusetts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.

• Debate over the stay-at-home order
• Debate over school closures
• Debate over religious service restrictions
• Debate over election policy
• Debate over public health

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

• "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
• Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
• A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures

Massachusetts released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on May 18, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on May 22. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: May 22, 2020

On May 18, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito (R) announced the four-phase "Reopening Massachusetts" plan.

Manufacturing, construction, and places of worship were permitted to reopen May 18 with certain guidelines. Hospitals and health centers were also permitted to resume some services with certain guidelines. Additional reopenings are scheduled for May 25 as part of Phase 1.

The plan includes mandatory safety standards around social distancing, cleaning, staffing, and hygiene for all workplaces as well as sector-specific requirements.

Each phase will last at least three weeks. According to the announcement, "specific industries, regions, and/or the entire Commonwealth may need to return to an earlier phase" if public health trends are negative. The public health metrics that determine movement from one phase to the next are:

• COVID-19 positive test rate
• Number of individuals who died from COVID-19
• Number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals
• Health care system readiness
• Testing capacity
• Contact tracing capabilities

Baker said, "These two will be inseparable: getting back to work and fighting COVID, until there is a medical breakthrough with treatments or a vaccine. And we cannot move forward unless we commit to continuing to slow the spread."

The Reopening Advisory Board developed the plan. The board has 17 members, including public health experts, members of the business community, and municipal leaders. Polito and state Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy chair the board.

Also on May 18, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a safer-at-home advisory, replacing the previous stay-at-home advisory. It says people over the age of 65 and people with underlying health conditions should stay home except for essential activities. It says all others should stay home except for essential and newly permitted activities. The advisory requires people to wear face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public.

Some municipalities in Massachusetts have reopening plans with more restrictions than the statewide plan.

Context

• ​​​​​​On March 23, Baker ordered nonessential businesses to close effective March 24 and limited gathering sizes to no more than 10 people. The order was set to expire April 7. Baker also directed the state Department of Public Health to issue a stay-at-home advisory instructing residents to stay home except for essential activities and essential travel. On March 31, Baker extended his order to May 4. On April 28, he extended it until May 18. On both occasions, he announced the stay-at-home advisory would remain in effect.
• On May 18, the state Department of Public Health issued a safer-at-home advisory maintaining stay-at-home guidance for those over 65 and those with underlying health conditions and advising others not to leave home except for essential and newly permitted activities.
• As of May 21, Massachusetts had 90,084 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6,148 confirmed deaths. Massachusetts' estimated population was 6.9 million as of July 2019. The state had 1,307 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents and 89.2 deaths per 100,000 residents. Massachusetts had the third-highest per capita case rate and fourth-highest per capita death rate of all states.
• Massachusetts has a divided government, with a Republican governor and Democratic majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

Plan details

Guidance for individuals in all phases

• Cover your face
• Wash your hands
• Socially distance
• Be vigilant for symptoms
• Stay home if you feel sick

Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards

All businesses must implement the following measures. Essential businesses have until May 25 to comply with mandatory workplace safety standards.

Social Distancing

• All persons, including employees, customers, and vendors should remain at least six feet apart to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside workplaces
• Establish protocols to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing
• Provide signage for safe social distancing
• Require face coverings or masks for all employees

Hygiene Protocols

• Provide hand washing capabilities throughout the workplace
• Ensure frequent hand washing by employees and adequate supplies to do so
• Provide regular sanitization of high touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms throughout work site

Staffing and Operations

• Provide training for employees regarding the social distancing and hygiene protocols
• Employees who are displaying COVID19-like symptoms do not report to work
• Establish a plan for employees getting ill from Covid-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Establish and maintain cleaning protocols specific to the business
• When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID19, cleaning and disinfecting must be performed
• Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to said workplace

The reopening plan announcement also states:

In order to reopen, businesses must develop a written COVID-19 Control Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. Required materials are located on mass.gov/reopening, and include detailed sector-specific circulars and checklists to facilitate compliance.

Phase 1 (began May 18)

Guidance for individuals

The safer-at-home advisory includes the following:

• People over age 65 and people with underlying health conditions (high-risk populations) should continue to stay home except for essential activities
• All other residents advised not to leave home except for essential and newly permitted activities
• Ask pharmacy to fill prescriptions for 90 days if possible. If a member of the high-risk population, try to use mail delivery service.
• Avoid close-contact activities (i.e., pickup sports games)
• All residents required to wear face covering when they can't maintain six feet of social distance in public
• Parents should limit play dates
• Do not visit residential care settings (i.e., nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities)
• Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soapy water
• Monitor symptoms and stay home if sick
• Use remote modes of communication to visit with people who are at high risk

Additional requirements for individuals/groups:

• Gatherings limited to 10 people
• Travelers to the state urged to self-quarantine for 14 days
• Lodging restricted to essential workers

Businesses/sectors

Permitted to open May 18:

• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Places of worship (to 40% capacity, outdoor services encouraged)
• Hospitals/community health centers (high-priority preventative care, pediatric care, and treatment for high-risk patients)

Permitted to open May 25:

• Lab space
• Office space, excluding those in Boston ("work from home strongly encouraged; businesses should restrict workforce presence to <25% maximum occupancy")
• Hair salons and barbershops (by appointment only)
• Pet grooming (by appointment only, curbside pickup/dropoff)
• Car washes (exterior car washing only)
• Retail (remote fulfillment and curbside pick-up)
• Beaches
• Parks
• Drive-in movie theaters
• Some athletic fields and courts
• Many outdoor activities
• Most fishing, hunting, and boating
• Outdoor gardens, zoos, reserves, and public installations

Permitted to open June 1:

• Office spaces in Boston ("work from home strongly encouraged; businesses should restrict workforce presence to <25% maximum occupancy")

Phase 2

Guidance for individuals

• Safer-at-home advisory lifted
• High-risk individuals should continue working from home if possible, with priority consideration for workplace accommodations
• Gathering sizes TBD
• Travel discouraged
• Travelers to the state urged to self-quarantine for 14 days
• Lodging open with restrictions

Businesses/sectors

The following might be allowed to reopen in Phase 2:

• Retail (with capacity limitations)
• Restaurants (with capacity limitations)
• Lodging (with capacity limitations)
• Additional personal services—i.e., nail salons, day spas (with capacity limitations)
• Expanded ambulatory in-person routine care throughout Phases 2 and 3 (i.e., dental cleanings, some elective procedures, day habilitation)
• Campgrounds
• Playgrounds and spray decks
• Public and community pools
• All athletic fields and courts
• Youth sports in limited fashion

Phase 3

Guidance for individuals

• "High risk should work from home if possible; priority consideration for workplace accommodations (these could be adjusted depending on pending epidemiological evidence)"
• Gathering sizes TBD
• Travel TBD

Businesses/sectors

The following might be allowed to reopen in Phase 3:

• Bars (with capacity limitations)
• Arts & Entertainment—e.g., Casinos, gyms, museums (with capacity limitations)
• All other business activities resume except for nightclubs and large venues (with capacity limitations)
• Additional recreation and outdoor activities and services
• Youth sports with games and tournaments (limited crowd sizes)

Phase 4

Guidance for individuals

• High-risk populations resume public interactions with physical distancing
• Gathering sizes TBD
• Travel resumes with continued social guidance

Businesses/sectors

• Full resumption of activities

Sector-specific guidance

The state will release guidance for sectors before they may reopen, and they must comply with guidance before reopening. Guidance for sectors that have already been permitted to reopen may be updated throughout the phases of the plan. The following sector-specific guidance had been released as of May 22:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Offices spaces
• Laboratories
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Car washes
• Pet grooming
• Places of worship
• Outdoor recreation
• Health and human services

Transit

The reopening plan includes guidance for transit riders, employers, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Guidance for riders and employers

• ​Riders are required to wear face coverings and must make efforts to distance. Riders are asked to avoid riding transit if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19;
• Employers are encouraged to stagger schedules and implement work from home policies to reduce demand, especially during rush hours;
• The MBTA will continue to take protective and preventative measures such as frequently disinfecting and cleaning vehicles and stations and providing protective supplies to workers.

Guidance for MBTA

• Support the transit needs of essential workers and those returning to the workplace in Phase 1 while continuing with limited service to maximize employee and rider safety;
• Ramp up to a modified version of full service by Phase 3, although social distancing efforts will limit effective capacity on vehicles even after full service schedules are restored;
• Actively communicate public health guidance and schedule adjustments in-station, online, and over social media.

Reactions

• U.S. Rep Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) tweeted, "MA isn’t ready to ‘reopen’. Policy decisions that offer a false choice between public health & economic recovery will hurt our communities. I urge @MassGovernor to re-evaluate his timeline & invest in the supports needed to keep our families safe."
• Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons tweeted, "Governor Baker & Lg Polito just put in place the most restrictive business requirements in history. These regulations potentially will crush our economy. As I watch this press conference I feel so sad for the small struggling businesses in our state."
• John Regan, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, said, "We realize that every employer in Massachusetts would love to hear that they can re-open immediately. But we also acknowledge that a phased re-opening balances the need to re-start the economy with the need to manage a public-health crisis that continues to claim 100 lives a day in Massachusetts."
• James Sutherland, director of policy and research for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, released a statement saying, "The plan lists the health indicators that the state will monitor to determine the appropriate time to move into each phase and this is helpful for employers and employees alike. … However, there are no specific goals for each metric – whether it is a duration of positive trends or progress or a specific number to achieve – so it is still unclear precisely what will trigger each reopening phase. This information is necessary for employers, employees, and the public to plan and prepare."

Coronavirus resources

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

State resources

• Office of the Governor of Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Department of Health
• Massachusetts Department of Education

Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.

Federal resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
• U.S. Department of Education
• World Health Organization

See also

• Documenting America's Path to Recovery
• Massachusetts' path to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic
• School responses in Massachusetts to the coronavirus pandemic
• School responses to the coronavirus pandemic by state
• COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state
• Travel restrictions by state
• Federal government responses to the coronavirus pandemic

Footnotes