Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the current stay-at-home orders through May 18.
The governor’s administration announced the launch of a Reopening Advisory Board that will produce a plan to the governor by the end of the new date.
Co-chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development secretary Mike Kennealy, the new board will bring health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal governments from across the commonwealth.
The Department of Public Health’s Stay At Home advisory will remain in effect until May 18. Gatherings of 10 or more people are still prohibited until that time.
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 brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order.
“Members of the Advisory Board bring a range of perspectives to the table, such as an understanding of workplaces and workforces and insights into key areas like financial markets, education, manufacturing and transportation,” a Tuesday statement from the Governor’s office read.
The 17-member group — which includes three public health officials, three municipal officials, and 11 leaders from the business community — is tasked with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in stages based on health and safety metrics.
It will meet with key stakeholders and gather input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18 that includes DPH-approved workplace safety standards, industry frameworks, and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders.
Although the report is due mid-May, the administration has made clear that public health data and guidance from health care experts will dictate the timeline of the re-opening process.
“(Until then), residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person-to-person contact during this time period,” the statement read. “Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.”
