--- title: "Massachusetts Phase 1 Reopening Guidelines: Key Considerations for Employers" description: Massachusetts' businesses will reopen following the COVID-19 shutdown in four, carefully planned phases. Employers who are returning employees to the workplace or welcoming customers must follow the guidelines put forth in the Reopening Plan. image: https://62401.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Phase-1-plan-reopen-for-business-open-states-USA-government-stimulus-concept-in-Coronavirus-Covid-19-pandemic-1221264026_1258x838.jpeg --- [![logo-small.png](https://62401.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Outside_GC_May_2015/Logos/logo-small.png?width=90&name=logo-small.png "logo-small.png")](http://www.outsidegc.com) - BLOG - ** --- ### Headquarters 501 Boylston Street, 10th Floor Boston, MA 02116 (617)-737-5000 info@outsidegc.com ![hero_news-events.jpg](https://62401.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Outside_GC_May_2015/Backgrounds/hero_news-events.jpg?width=1600&name=hero_news-events.jpg "hero_news-events.jpg") ## ON-DEMAND INSIGHTS # Massachusetts Phase 1 Reopening Guidelines: Key Considerations for Employers Posted by [Jacqueline Piscitello](https://62401.hs-sites.com/blog/author/jacqueline-piscitello) on May 20, 2020 at 2:18 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Massachusetts coronavirus phase 1 reopening guidelines](https://62401.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Phase-1-plan-reopen-for-business-open-states-USA-government-stimulus-concept-in-Coronavirus-Covid-19-pandemic-1221264026_1258x838.jpeg?width=300&name=Phase-1-plan-reopen-for-business-open-states-USA-government-stimulus-concept-in-Coronavirus-Covid-19-pandemic-1221264026_1258x838.jpeg)Over the past few days, Governor Charlie Baker’s office has released guidance for employers on its phased reopening of the Massachusetts economy.  The plan to reopen includes a carefully planned, four-phase approach which addresses which businesses can open when, and what requirements those businesses must follow in order to resume operations.  Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks or longer, before transitioning to the next phase, though public health trends may require the state, or certain regions, to revert back to previous phases. This article summarizes key dates and components of **Phase 1** of the [Reopening Plan](https://www.mass.gov/doc/reopening-massachusetts-may-18-2020/download) for employers who are considering returning employees to the workplace or opening to the public. **Key Dates:** - *May 18, 2020*:  - *May 25, 2020*:  - *June 1, 2020*:  **Workplace-Specific Restrictions **** ** - *25% Occupancy Cap* - *Mandatory Safety Standards* - *Mandatory Workplace Postings* - *Written Control Plan* - *Mandatory Training* - *Additional Industry-Specific Requirements* **Other Key Considerations:**** ** - The Governor’s Office strongly encourages the continued use of remote work wherever feasible to limit the transmission of the virus - Employers should allow high-risk populations (as identified by the [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html)) for workplace accommodations to continue remote work if possible and otherwise give “priority consideration” to providing other accommodations for such individuals. - Employers are also encouraged to stagger shifts and break times to minimize the number of people in one place.  - Meetings and other gatherings should be limited to less than ten people. - During Phases 1 (and 2), all travelers to Massachusetts are urged to self-quarantine for 14 days. - Recognizing the increased demand for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies created by new safety standards, the state has established a [portal](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-purchasing-hygienic-or-protective-supplies-for-the-workplace) to connect businesses to suppliers.   - Compliance with the reopening standards will be jointly enforced by local health boards as well as the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Labor Standards.** ** **Next steps for employers:** All Massachusetts employers are affected by these new standards, so we encourage employers to take immediate steps to implement new protocols to comply with the mandatory health and safety protocols, and prepare relevant workplace policies and communications for employees. We anticipate that workplace requirements will evolve as businesses begin to reopen.  Therefore, we will be closely monitoring potential changes to these requirements, as well as additional sector-specific protocols and guidance for Phase 2, which we expect to be issued in the coming weeks.   Employers with questions about compliance with the new standards and the impact on their businesses, are encouraged to reach out to Jacqueline Piscitello at [jpiscitello@outsidegc.com](mailto:jpiscitello@outsidegc.com) to ensure compliance with the new directives.    [Jacqueline Piscitello](https://www.outsidegc.com/general-counsel-attorneys/jackie-piscitello-outsourced-business-lawyer-new-england) has nearly 25 years of legal experience and has been a partner with Outside GC since 2005.  Jackie has experience in a wide range of areas, including advising on sophisticated employment and labor matters, technology, litigation and dispute resolution, as well as a variety of general corporate and governance matters.     - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [coronavirus](https://62401.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/coronavirus), [COVID-19](https://62401.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/covid-19), [phase 1 guidelines](https://62401.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/phase-1-guidelines), [Massachusetts reopening guidelines](https://62401.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-reopening-guidelines) ### Subscribe to our Blog ### Popular Posts [View All Posts ›](https://www.outsidegc.com/blog/all) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F62401.hs-sites.com%2Fblog%2Fmassachusetts-coronavirus-phase-1-reopening-guidelines-%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F62401.hs-sites.com%2Fblog%2Fmassachusetts-coronavirus-phase-1-reopening-guidelines-%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F62401.hs-sites.com%2Fblog%2Fmassachusetts-coronavirus-phase-1-reopening-guidelines-%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F62401.hs-sites.com%2Fblog%2Fmassachusetts-coronavirus-phase-1-reopening-guidelines-%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Massachusetts%20Phase%201%20Reopening%20Guidelines%3A%20Key%20Considerations%20for%20Employers) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F62401.hs-sites.com%2Fblog%2Fmassachusetts-coronavirus-phase-1-reopening-guidelines-%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F62401.hs-sites.com%2Fblog%2Fmassachusetts-coronavirus-phase-1-reopening-guidelines-%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) This publication should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances nor an offer to represent you. 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