5.15.21 OWJ MA Restrictions Lifted

Out With Joe May 15th 2021 Mass. Lifts Restrictions on Condiments and Reusable Menus at Restaurants Restaurants are no longer required to sanitize chairs and tables after every use, among other relaxed restrictions in Massachusetts, you see earlier in the week here in the Commonwealth we quietly lifted some of the coronavirus-related restaurant restrictions that appear to be aimed at preventing surface transmission Restaurants can once again have reusable menus, salt and pepper shakers and other condiments such as ketchup on their tables. Eateries are no longer required to use single-serve utensils and they don't have to sanitize chairs and tables after every use… although not a bad idea… I kind of liked that… I’ve been taking alcoholic wipes to my dining area long before covid was a household word. The new guidance took effect without much fanfare this past Monday along with increased capacity restrictions for amusement parks. The measure comes after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that the risk of surface transmission is low.... again we didn’t have to be wiping down the milk, egg cartons and other groceries for the Covid virus.. but still probably a good practice anyway.. those warehouses are not the cleanest work environments People are now able to receive the coronavirus vaccine without an appointment at some Massachusetts sites. People primarily contract coronavirus through airborne transmission, which the state attempts to mitigate by spacing tables apart and maintaining a 90 minute limit. Later this month, beginning May 29, group gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors. Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, can be held at 50% capacity. Restaurant guidance stipulating food be served with alcohol will eventually be eliminated and the maximum table size will increase to 10. All restrictions are expected to lift on Aug. 1, according to Gov. Charlie Baker. Reopening phases are contingent upon public health and vaccination data