Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker extended a state-wide lockdown that will keep businesses deemed non-essential closed until May 18.
"Our overall hospitalization rates for COVID-19 patients have not dropped. They remain high—plateaued is the word I would use—statewide, and many healthcare facilities are still relying on their emergency surge beds to treat patients," Baker said.
The state also launched a Reopening Advisory Board, which will help "produce a plan" for the governor by May 18. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy are listed as co-chairs in the advisory board.
"This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. It will meet with key stakeholders and solicit input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18th that will include DPH approved workplace safety standards, industry frameworks and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders," the press release read.
"When the data suggests that COVID-19 is diminishing, we’ll want to have that plan ready to start recovering the economic ground that we’ve given up during this fight. This group will work on a plan that occurs in phases. They’ll help industries navigate public health guidance and implement measures for the news rules of the road. We’ve asked this group to produce the plan by May 18," said Baker, according to WHDH.
The timeline of the reopening process will heavily depend on the medical and health data given to the board by health care experts.
"It’ll take some time before we know exactly if the 18th is the date. But we’ll have a good understanding in the next two weeks," said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, according to CBS Boston.