The state’s September total unemployment rate is down 1.8 percentage points at 9.6 percent following a revision to the August rate at 11.4 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday, October 16, 2020. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 36,900 jobs […]
Travelers from COVID-19 lower-risk States are not required to fill out the Massachusetts Travel Form and do not need to quarantine. Effective October 17th at 12:01 a.m., the Department of Public Health metric for determining lower-risk states for the purposes of Massachusetts’ interstate travel policy will consider data over two weeks rather than one […]
Matsumae Castle Cherry Blossom Courtesy of Hokkaido Official Tourism Website October 19, 2020 marks the 30th Anniversary of a special Sister State Agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Hokkaido, Japan. The agreement became official in 1990. The connections between Japan and Massachusetts actually date back to the 19th century, […]
For residents planning to celebrate Halloween, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has provided safety tips to help limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. DPH is also reminding residents and communities to be aware that Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific […]
The Baker-Polito Administration provided an update this week on a series of initiatives to support the residents of the Commonwealth in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure the state’s readiness status heading into the fall and winter. Led by the COVID-19 Command Center, the Administration outlined today inter-departmental […]
Governor Charlie Baker today declared October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month,” continuing the Commonwealth’s support of cranberry farmers and encouraging Massachusetts residents to purchase locally produced cranberry products. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides said, “The cranberry industry is a significant driver for the Massachusetts economy, and the Baker-Polito Administration is […]
Due to five months of below normal rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides today declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought in the Southeast Region of the Commonwealth. The other six regions across the state — the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Cape Cod, and Islands regions— […]
The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that effective Monday, October 5th, lower risk communities will be permitted to move into Step II of Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. All other communities will remain in Phase III, Step I. Governor Charlie Baker also issued a revised gatherings order. Industry specific […]
Starting on Monday, September 28, 2020, Massachusetts is updating its Restaurant regulations for following social distancing rules, including the increase in table size from 6 to 10 guests at each table. Here is the full document, Sector Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Restaurants to address COVID-19, as of September 22, 2020 […]
Ocean Scout Glider, Hefring, LLC., Gloucester, MA Today, the Commonwealth’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved six projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP). These six projects are expected to create 175 net new jobs and retain 135 jobs throughout Massachusetts, while leveraging approximately $42 million in […]
