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LYNN REPEALS ROLLBACK, LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESSES
BY GAYLA CAWLEY| January 26, 2021
LYNN — Mayor Thomas M. McGee announced Tuesday that Lynn will return to Phase 3, Step 1 of the state’s reopening plan on Feb. 1 following two weeks of declining coronavirus case numbers in the city.
Lynn has been rolled back to a modified version of Phase 2, Step 2 since Dec. 18, which was implemented following a post-holiday surge in cases.
With the rollback repealed, a number of businesses will be allowed to reopen, such as gyms, museums and indoor event spaces, and certain restrictions placed on restaurants and bars in the earlier phase will be lifted.
“Over the last week and a half or so, we started to see a gradual reduction in cases,” said McGee. “We definitely saw that substantial surge after the holidays. As we see the reduction, we thought moving back that phase and step was appropriate at this time.”
While the declining daily case numbers and positive test rate in the city is encouraging, McGee said it was important for people to remain vigilant with following COVID-19 prevention measures, such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
“We still have a ways to go and I think every scientist and expert is reflecting on that,” said McGee.
All gatherings and events remain subject to the state-imposed capacity limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, and businesses must adhere to the 25 percent capacity limit until at least Monday, Feb. 8 or whenever the state revisits that order.
Businesses will no longer be required to close early following Gov. Charlie Baker’s decision to lift the state’s stay-at-home order and an order requiring businesses to close at 9:30 p.m.
While McGee noted that the additional restrictions and closures impacted businesses negatively during the rollback in Lynn, he said the city has been actively trying to help businesses affected by the pandemic through the state and federal funding it has been awarded.
“We’re trying to be as supportive as possible (to) the businesses impacted,” said McGee, noting that there has been a balancing act between ensuring the safety of the community and recognizing the challenges that businesses have been facing throughout the pandemic.
“There’s more money available to support the businesses with grants, so we’re going to explore every avenue available,” he said.
Much of the focus has now shifted to making sure residents get vaccinated during the state’s phased vaccination plan, said McGee, explaining that the city is working to establish a plan that will make the vaccine more available in the community, which has been a challenge throughout the country.
In Lynn, 31 new cases were reported on Tuesday to bring the city’s caseload to 14,156. Of that total, 1,920 cases are active, 175 people have died, and 12,061 people have recovered from the virus, according to city data.
Revere (8,705 cases, 137 deaths) and Salem (3,626 cases, 64 deaths) each reported 17 new cases on Tuesday, Lynnfield (886 cases, 27 deaths) and Nahant (206 cases, six deaths) reported no change in their figures, and numbers were not updated in Marblehead, Peabody, Saugus or Swampscott.
As of Monday, Peabody had 5,509 cases and 264 deaths, Swampscott had 832 cases and 13 deaths, and numbers have not been updated in Marblehead (919 cases, 31 deaths) and Saugus (3,060 cases, 58 deaths) since last Friday and Thursday respectively.