Entry Thumbnail

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Partnerships for Recovery, $774 Million Economic Recovery Plan

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $774 million comprehensive plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. Partnerships for Recovery begins today by directing $115 million in new funding to […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Massachusetts Unemployment and Job Estimates for September 2020

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 […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Massachusetts Updates its list of Lower-Risk States for Travelers

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 […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Massachusetts & Hokkaido, Japan Celebrate 30th Anniversary Sister State Pact

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, […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Massachusetts public health officials offer tips for a safe and healthy Halloween

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 […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Massachusetts Announces COVID-19 Measures in Place to Ensure Readiness for Fall and Winter

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 […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

October is Officially Cranberry Month in Massachusetts

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 […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Critical Drought Conditions Declared in Southeast Region of Commonwealth

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— […]

Posted by
Entry Thumbnail

Massachusetts Updates its Restaurant Regulations Starting on September 28

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 […]

Posted by