After Massachusetts has seen more than 1,000 new daily cases of COVID-19 for nine consecutive days, and as the number of people who need hospital care for a coronavirus infection rises, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a series of new executive orders related to the state’s reopening plan. These new orders will take effect in the commonwealth on Friday, Nov. 6.

Echoing the same concern on rising numbers of COVID-19 cases here in Berkshire County and specifically the City of Pittsfield, Mayor Tyer shared some updated information from the health department.

1. From Sunday, October 25 through today, Monday, November 2, Pittsfield has had 24 new COVID positive cases. New cases are both cluster cases (workplace and private parties) and community spread. Based upon the state’s data and assessment tool, I anticipate that Pittsfield will no longer qualify as low-risk and will likely be identified as red (high-risk) in the state’s next update.
2. Statewide, there has been a 278% increase in cases since Labor Day and hospitalizations have increased by 145% since Labor Day.
3. Today, Governor Baker issued several new orders that will go into effect on Friday, November 6. Essentially, the orders are as follows:
a. Stay at home between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
b. 9:30 p.m. early closing for certain businesses and activities
c. No table service at restaurants after 9:30 p.m., take-out is allowed after 9:30 p.m.
d. Indoor gathering at private residences is limited to 10
e. Outdoor gatherings at private residences is limited to 25
f. Indoor gatherings at event venues and public settings is limited to 25
g. Outdoor gatherings in low-risk communities is limited to 100
h. Outdoor gatherings in communities not qualified as low-risk is limited to 50
- Exceptions to the gathering orders include religious activities and political expression.
- Event organizers must notify local Boards of Health if more than 50 will be in attendance.
- All gatherings must disperse by 9:30 p.m.
- There are some legal exceptions (see details in the order)
i. Enforcement is multi-jurisdictional (state and local) and could result in fines.
The announcement and the orders can be found here:
"The City of Pittsfield will comply with these orders. The COVID-19 Task Force will review the orders and develop educational, implementation, and enforcement plans. I will provide more details as they become available.
Please be safe and encourage everyone within your circle to comply with all safety precautions and to cooperate with contact tracers. We’ve got to keep our schools open and stabilize the economy. And, we owe it to our doctors, nurses, health care support teams, first responders, grocery store workers, and everyone else that got us through the first surge." 
Pittsfield Mayor Tyer 

Here are several important COVID-19 updates:

1. From Sunday, October 25 through today, Monday, November 2, Pittsfield...

Posted by Mayor Linda Tyer on Monday, November 2, 2020

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

KEEP LOOKING: See what 50 company logos looked like then and now

 

More From WBEC AM