→ See more of our coronavirus coverage, including community resources and personal stories.
This is a transcript of a recorded interview between afternoon host Dave Fallon and Southcoast reporter Nadine Sebai.
FALLON: First of all, tell us about the announcement. What can Massachusetts residents expect to see in the coming days and weeks.
SEBAI: So as of today, manufacturing and construction industries will be allowed to reopen provided they follow certain guidance and standards meant to protect against the spread of the virus. So everything we’ve been hearing for the last two months, maintaining six feet of distance, washing hands, wearing gloves, masks, etc. Manufacturing facilities and construction will begin to be allowed to operate during this time. Also, houses of worship will also be allowed to resume services as long as they can follow social distancing guidelines. They’ve been asked to do outdoor services, if they can, or limit to a very small group of people.
Beginning May 25, Memorial Day, that’s when I think we’re going to start to see a lot of changes that the average resident will begin to notice. So lab and office spaces will be able to reopen, as well as some personal services like hair salons, pet grooming, and car washes.
Additionally, beginning Memorial day, recreational activities like parks, some athletic fields, fishing and boating will also be allowed. So there’s going to be a lot of changes coming within the next two weeks in this in this first phase.
FALLON: And of course, many businesses in the Southcoast have suffered during this pandemic. I’m thinking of implications for this Phase 1 reopening. What will those implications be?
SEBAI: It’s going to be mean a lot for businesses here in the Southcoast, especially for industrial cities like New Bedford. During this pandemic, 90% of businesses in the city were impacted or temporarily shut down because of the crisis.
The fishing and fish processing industry here in New Bedford has continued to work as essential businesses throughout this pandemic. But now the city is likely going to be seeing a number of other manufacturing facilities opening their doors and bringing people back to work under this new normal.
What we’ve seen in the fishing industry is that that “new normal” within manufacturing facilities looks very different than it did two months ago. There’s going to be divisions between individual people using plastic dividers. People are going to be required to wear masks, gloves, and face shields. And there’s going to be staggered shifts and staggered lunches throughout throughout the day.
So businesses are going to be reopening but in a completely new way. And it’s also under new guidances that New Bedford has already put in place before governor Baker’s announcement today where the city is having their own set of safety requirements for all of these industries. It’s going to be interesting all the way around.
FALLON: What about smaller Massachusetts businesses with more face-to-face interactions? What can they expect?
SEBAI: Many of these face-to-face businesses including hair salons and pet groomers will be able to reopen beginning Memorial Day. Owners will need to be a little bit more creative and how they utilize their space to meet those new requirements set forth by the state.
Salons, according to the new measures that will will begin next week, will need to arrange chairs six feet apart, they’ll have to stagger their lunch and break times for employees, and of course implement strict hygiene regimens after each client. Workspaces will need to be constantly cleaned to ensure that the virus doesn’t get into these businesses.
I spoke to a salon owner in Somerset. She’s owned her salon for 34 years now and she says that in order to meet the new requirements while still turning over enough clients to make ends meet, she’ll need to open for longer hours and into the weekend. Otherwise, she fears she won’t be able to get the volume that she needs to pay her bills.
So again, no matter where you are, whether you’re in a big manufacturing facilities or a mom-and-pop hair salon, there are new changes coming and it’s just a matter of whether or not these businesses will be able to adapt in time to meet their needs.
FALLON: What are governor Baker’s plans for the state in the coming weeks and months?
SEBAI: Much like in Rhode Island, Governor Baker is making a decision to move from one phase to another by looking at the rise or fall in COVID-19 cases, fatalities, and hospitalizations. He’s expecting three weeks between phases but emphasized that the state will take a step back if there is a spike in cases.
FALLON: Southcoast reporter Nadine Sebai joining us here on The Public’s Radio. Thanks Nadine.
SEBAI: Thanks, Dave.
