Gov.Baker orders non-essential businesses closed over virus

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered all nonessential businesses to close at noon on Tuesday.

BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered all nonessential businesses to close at noon on Tuesday and remain closed until at least April 7 in an effort to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

The Republican governor said Monday the state Department of Health has issued a stay-at-home advisory, but stressed that it wasn’t a shelter in place order.

Essential businesses include supermarkets and the businesses that support them, pharmacies, gas stations, and manufacturers of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.

Restaurants will be allowed to stay open for takeout and delivery only.

There have been 646 positive cases of the coronavirus in Massachusetts and five deaths.