Chamber News

Gov. Baker said Thursday, Feb. 25, that the state on Monday will move to Phase Three, Step Two of its economic reopening amid the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing indoor performance venues and indoor recreational activities to reopen and capacity limits across all sectors will increase to 50 percent. The state will then move to the next…

The Patch – The governor’s remarks came as he visited a pooled-testing program at a middle school in Newburyport, Boston 25 reported. Widespread vaccinations for teachers and school staff has been a sticking point in the fight over resuming in-person learning. The Massachusetts Teachers Association has advocated for the state to add teachers to the priority group…

WPRI – Starting March 1, some restrictions at restaurants and venues will ease up in Massachusetts. A few weeks later, on March 22, larger weddings will be allowed at venues. Perhaps you’ve seen the advertisements on 195 East, White’s of Westport is offering minimonies, wedding ceremonies of just 10 people or fewer. It’s one way they…

Boston Herald – Business owners are cautiously optimistic after nearly a year of pandemic-era shutdowns as Massachusetts takes a major step forward in reopening its economy on Monday, but public health leaders warn it’s still too soon to start easing restrictions. Concert halls and theaters that closed last March can reopen — with limited capacity —…

Boston Globe – Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced last Friday that Boston will delay the reopening of indoor performance spaces and recreational activity venues until March 22, taking a harder stance than the state, which said those spaces could open Monday. Governor Charlie Baker announced plans to lift several business restrictions last Thursday, most of which Boston is…

Boston Herald – Restrictions limiting restaurants and businesses begin to roll back on Monday, a “good sign,” Gov. Charlie Baker said, for the state’s economy that has been struggling under nearly a year of pandemic-era shutdowns. Here’s what changes started Monday, subject to local restrictions: Concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance venues can reopen at…

Washington Post – The House on Saturday approved President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package, marking a crucial step toward passage of the White House’s first major piece of legislation. Biden unveiled his proposal, the American Rescue Plan, last month, with hundreds of billions of dollars going to vaccination programs, expanded unemployment insurance, $1,400 stimulus checks, state and local governments,…

Boston Herald – Top Biden administration officials insisted on Sunday that K-8 schools can safely reopen by April, even without requiring all teachers to be vaccinated first, as some states make educators a priority for COVID-19 shots. White House Press Secretary Jennifer Psaki underscored that President Biden wants to see those schools open for five days…

Politico – The House is on track to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package by the end of this week as Congress sprints to deliver aid to millions of Americans reeling from the pandemic and facing a jobless benefits cliff in mid-March. But House Democrats aren’t expecting to get a single GOP vote…