Somerset, Seekonk, Westport must take step back in COVID-19 opening after three weeks in the red

Three area towns have to move back from step 2 phase 3 to step 1 phase 3 of the COVID-19 re-opening plan due to having a red high risk designation for three weeks.

Somerset, Seekonk, and Westport will have to revert back to step 1 phase 3 starting Monday.

These towns join a long list of cities and towns on the list including, Fall River, New Bedford, Plymouth, Brockton, Attleboro and Acushnet.

According to officials, Somerset’s spike in cases remain attributable to general community spread, and others are attributed to an ongoing rise in cases at an elder care facility in town.

Cities and towns like Acushnet, Attleboro, and Fairhaven began working their way back to step 2 as with the new metrics they moved out of the red this week.

Baker Friday released the updated color COVID-19 metrics for cities and towns.

For the high risk territories to return to Step 2 of Phase 3, they must become low-risk for three consecutive weeks.

The following types of businesses are prohibited from operating during Step 1 of Phase 3: indoor performance venues, roller skating rinks, trampoline parks, obstacle courses, laser tag and escape rooms.

The following types of businesses must reduce capacity to 40% (currently 50%) when operating during Step 1 of Phase 3: driving/flight schools, gyms, libraries, museums, arcades, and lower-contact indoor and outdoor recreation businesses.

During Step 1, outdoor gatherings at event venues and in public settings are limited to 50 people.

During Step 1, outdoor theater and performance venues may operate at 25% capacity but no more than 50 people.