Governor Charlie Baker is ordering all non-essential businesses in Massachusetts to close at noon today. The businesses must remain closed until at least April seventh. Businesses that are exempt from the order include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, medical facilities and liquor stores. Restaurants can remain open for takeout, but social distancing must be practiced. The Massachusetts order ends April 7th at noon.
Governor Ned Lamont's Stay Safe, Stay Home executive order is now in effect. Lamont's directive that took effect last night requires all non-essential employees across the state to work from home. The governor has also ordered non-essential businesses to close, with numerous exceptions. Those that can continue to operate include supermarkets, pharmacies and health care related businesses. That order remains operative until April 22.
The number of people dead from coronavirus in Massachusetts has risen to nine. The death toll announced yesterday increased by four people from Sunday, including two elderly women from Worcester and Essex County. The other new deaths are a man from Suffolk County and a Norfolk County man in his 80s. The number of people who have tested positive for the virus in the state was at 777 yesterday, which is an increase of more than 100 cases from the previous day.
Connecticut reports 10 deaths.
(Photo Credit: Joshua Qualls Governor's Office)