STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
SINCE GOV. CHARLIE BAKER declared a coronavirus state of emergency on March 10, the executive branch has been busy spelling out in orders, advisories and guidance documents exactly what should and what should not happen as the state deals with the pandemic.
Some of the governor’s order and directives have widespread and sweeping consequences — the closure of all non-essential businesses and an urging to stay at home as much as possible — while others are more narrow and are meant to address fairly specific issues, like pharmacy operations.
But during the state of emergency, the orders handed down by the governor function essentially as temporary laws and the steady rollout of new executive actions sheds some light on the various fronts on which state government and public health officials are fighting the coronavirus.
March 10 —
Executive Order No. 591: Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19
March 11 —
New licensure policy from the Board of Registration in Nursing
March 12 —
Order of the Public Health Commissioner restricting visitor access to nursing homes and rest homes to protect higher-risk populations from COVID-19
Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law
March 13 —
Order prohibiting gatherings of more than 250 people
March 15 —
Order temporarily closing all public and private elementary and secondary schools
Order expanding access to telehealth services and to protect health care providers
Order prohibiting gatherings of more than 25 people and on-premises consumption of food or drink
Order authorizing the registrar of motor vehicles to temporarily extend licenses, permits, and other identification cards
Order of the Public Health Commissioner mandating that hospitals must cancel non-essential elective procedures
Order of the Public Health Commissioner permitting licensed pharmacies to create and sell hand sanitizer over the counter
Order of the Public Health Commissioner restricting visitor access to assisted living facilities
Order of the Public Health Commissioner restricting some visitor access to hospitals
March 17 —
Order extending the registrations of certain licensed health care professionals
Order expanding access to physician services
Order of the Commissioner of Public Health providing for continuity of emergency medical services care
Order of the Commissioner of Public Health implementing emergency credentialing and licensed staff transferprocedures for medical facilities in the commonwealth
March 18 —
Order of the Commissioner of Public Health regarding the administration of certain medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder
Order of the Commissioner of Public Health regarding the flexible reassignment of physician assistants
Order temporarily closing all child care programs and authorizing the temporary creation and operation of an emergency child care program
Order of the Commissioner of Public Health regarding the sharing of critical information with first responders
March 20 —
Order authorizing actions to reduce in-person transactions associated with the licensing, registration, and inspection of motor vehicles. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said during a Friday afternoon press conference that the order “allows the registrar to extend vehicle registrations, and modify the conditions of registrations, plates and titles, and it also allows the registrar and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection the authority to waive certain inspection requirements.”
Order permitting the temporary conditional deferral of certain inspections of residential real estate
Others —
The Baker administration this week also issued guidance for executive branch workers regarding remote work policies and the designation of essential employees. On Friday, the Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services sent a bulletin to local officials with guidance on emergency expenditures related to COVID-19.
March 23 —
Order assuring continued operation of essential services in the commonwealth, closing certain workplaces, and prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people
List of COVID-19 essential services
Revised guidance regarding the order by the governor prohibiting assemblages of more than 10 people and on-premises consumption of food and beverages
Stay-at-home advisory for individuals over 70 and for those with underlying health conditions; and safe practices for the general public
Order permitting facilities licensed by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to create and donate hand sanitizer to certain entities
Order of the commissioner of public health modifying certain requirements for inspections by the chief medical examiner
March 24 —
Order suspending services provided in congregate settings by EOHHS day programs
Order of the commissioner of public health related to pharmacy practice
Order of the commissioner of public health regarding determination of need approvals related to COVID-19
Order of the commissioner of public health exempting hospitals from the nurse staffing requirements of M.G.L. c. 111, §231
March 25 —
Order extending the temporary closure of all public and private elementary and secondary schools
Order extending the temporary closing of all non-emergency child care programs
Department of Housing and Community Development guidance to owners of state aided low-income housing
Department of Housing and Community Development guidance to affordable housing operators
Division of Banks message to industry regarding mortgage loan borrowers impacted by COVID-19
Order addressing operation of grocery stores and pharmacies
March 26 —
Request to the federal government for a Major Disaster Declaration for Massachusetts
Order of the commissioner of public health authorizing independent practice of advanced practice registered nurses
Order suspending state permitting deadlines and extending the validity of state permits