The COVID Project
The record
- Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts
- Level
- State
- Authority
- St. 1950, c. 639, ss. 7, 8, 8A; G.L. c. 17, s. 2A
- Issued
- 2020-03-23 Mar. 23, 2020
- Effective
- 2020-03-24 12:00 noon (read as 2020-03-24)
- End
- Through noon April 7, 2020 by its terms; extended to May 4 (Order No. 21), May 18 (Order No. 30), 24 hours (Order No. 32) and 'until rescinded' (Order No. 33 s. 7); rescinded 12:01 a.m. June 8, 2020 by Order No. 37 (read as 2020-04-07)
- In force
- Mar. 24, 2020 to Apr. 7, 2020
- Quarters
- 2020 Q2
2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3
- Limitation types
- Stay-at-homeBusiness closureTelework mandateGathering capAlcohol and barsWorkplace rulesSupply chain
- Addressees
- all businesses and other organizations
- the public
- restaurants and bars
- places of worship
- municipalities
- Functions reached
- SF/OF all non-essential premises closed to workers and customers
- CB customer base under the DPH Stay-at-Home Advisory
- DR/BA dining rooms and bars closed
- GATH events, conferences, weddings, funerals over 10
- SC suppliers closed statewide
- WS worship under the 10-person cap
- OP remote operation compelled
- Collection
- Massachusetts MA
Operative words
All businesses and other organizations that do not provide COVID-19 Essential Services shall close their physical workplaces and facilities ("brick-and-mortar premises") to workers, customers, and the public as of 12:00 noon on March 24, 2020 and shall not re-open to workers, customers, or the public before 12:00 noon on April 7, 2020.... Businesses and other organizations that do not provide COVID-19 Essential Services are encouraged to continue operations where they are able to operate through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by this Order.... Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited throughout the Commonwealth.... Restaurants, bars, or other establishments that offer food or beverages to the public shall not permit on-premises consumption of food or beverages.... The DPH Guidance shall include a requirement that grocery stores and other retailers with substantial retail grocery sales establish special limited access hours during which elderly and other vulnerable populations may have exclusive access.
Enforcement
DPH and any board of health or authorized agent under G.L. c. 111, s. 30, with State or municipal police; 'Violation of the terms of this Order or the DPH Guidance may result in a criminal penalty pursuant to Section 8 of Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950 or a civil fine of up to $300 per violation, in the manner provided for non-criminal disposition of violations of municipal by-law, ordinance, rule, or regulation pursuant to G.L. c. 40, s. 21D'; injunction in the district court
Notes
Exhibit A designated 'COVID-19 Essential Services' by reference to the CISA critical infrastructure list plus Governor-added sectors (construction included); the DPH Stay-at-Home Advisory issued the same day urged all residents to remain home; preemption clause: 'This Order supersedes and makes inoperative any order or rule issued by a municipality that will or might in any way impede or interfere with the achievement of the objectives of this Order.'
Retrieval noteFive-page signed original.