New phase of re-opening hits Massachusetts Monday

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) – Monday marks a new phase of Massachusetts’ re-opening plan. Communities considered “lower risk” by health officials can now enter step 2 of phase 3.

The new step means recreational activities like roller skating at Forrest’s Family Fun Center can re-open at 50% capacity with a max of 250 people.

“The past 6 months… terrible,” Forrest Welling, the owner of Forrest’s Family Fun Center said. “We’ve been closed up, could not even open up for nothing. It was so frustrating knowing that I could’ve opened up at least for 100 people and still make some income.”

As his bills piled up, he says it’s been tough watching other businesses like skating rinks open back up. It’s why he spent eight hours putting together a video on Facebook.

“I thought, well, I’m going to prove to Charlie Baker that I can have 100 people in here very safely,” Welling said. “So, I went and got a bunch of aliens, blew them up, this stunt took me 8 hours. I put them on the skating floor to prove we could skate here safely.”

Now, rinks like his and other places like laser tag, trampoline parks and obstacle courses have the green light to open their doors. Part 2 of phase 3 also allows live indoor and outdoor performance venues to reopen at 50%. Gyms, museums, libraries and driving or flight schools can increase their capacity to 50%. Fitting rooms can also reopen at retail stores.

The orders only apply to communities considered low risk. Currently, Attleboro and New Bedford are in the red zone and cannot move to part 2 of phase 3.

“Today is a scream that we can open up finally! But, we can get closed in a heartbeat,” Welling said. “If we go in the red, we’re going to close up.”

But, until that happens, today is about starting over and doing it safely. Safety measures include checks at the front door, floor guards monitoring crowds, mandatory masks and an eight person per table limit.