Overview of EEA Guidance Updates Effective 5.10.21
Overview of EEA Guidance Updates Effective 5.10.21
A reminder that on April 30, 2021, we rescinded the following guidance documents and indicate on our EEA COVID-19 Guidance Webpage - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs-eea-covid-19-guidance-documents that these sectors should follow the Mandatory Safety Standards for Businesses - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-mandatory-safety-standards-for-workplaces
• Campgrounds
• Mountain biking
• Whitewater rafting (incorporated into Ecotourism)
• Recreational boating
• Parks, Open Space, and Outdoor Education Programs
• Coastal and Inland Beaches
• Playgrounds, Spray Decks, and Outdoor Fitness Areas
• Hunter Education
• EEA Outdoor Recreation Facility Restroom Cleaning Guidelines
The following guidance was posted on 5.10.21 and is effective immediately. Note, several guidance elements were altered or removed to streamline the documents, however this section provides an overview of the significant changes:
YOUTH & ADULT AMATEUR SPORTS GUIDANCE
• Tournaments: Moderate Risk and High Risk sports can now engage in tournaments
• Spectators: Spectators are now allowed for players 21-years-old and up.
• Face Coverings: The requirement to wear a face covering at all times has been removed for certain low and moderate risk sports that are performed outdoors and where social distance can be consistently maintained. For example, but not limited to: tennis, pickleball, disc golf, golf, biking, surfing, horseback riding, individual sailing, fishing, hunting, motor sports, gymnastics, cross country, individual rowing, skiing, baseball, softball, beach volleyball, and running formats where social distancing is maintained. Low risk sports performed indoors where a distance of at least 14 feet or more is consistently maintained still do not require a face covering (e.g., singles tennis or individual gymnastics performance)
• Road Races: Organized outdoor road races (marathons, 5ks, triathlons, bike races, etc.) are NOT covered by our guidance. There is separate guidance for these events.
POOLS
• Saunas/Hot Tubs: Effective August 1, 2021 hot tubs and saunas are permitted to open
• Face Coverings: Required while indoors (except when swimming), only required outdoors (except while swimming) if social distancing cannot be maintained.
RECREATIONAL BOATING BUSINESSES
and
OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES (Ecotourism)
and
ZOOS, BOTANICAL GARDENS, WILDLIFE PRESERVES
• Face Coverings: All workers and customers are required to wear face coverings while indoors and are required to follow any other sector or activity-specific guidance on facial coverings and social distancing protocols while outdoors. Face coverings are required outdoors when distance cannot be maintained.
CHARTER + FOR HIRE BOATS
• Note that this guidance was NOT changed on May 10th, and these vessels are still limited to 50% capacity (plus captain and crew) or 10 passengers (plus passengers and crew) whichever is greater, provided that aggregate capacity is capped at 50 passengers (plus captain and crew). This guidance will continue to be reevaluated.