Gov. Charlie Baker’s phased May 18 re-opening plan is too slow-moving and lacks the specifics necessary for Main Street success, a group of fiscal conservatives and Bay State Republicans said today, calling for more transparency.
“My fear is that we’re not opening fast enough, and we’re certainly not bringing clarity to the rules,” said state Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, arguing that his constituents need to “try and salvage what’s left of their businesses.”
Baker has detailed a four-phase approach to reopening the state economy, starting with a report by a 17-member state advisory committee published on May 18. The phased reopen indicates that businesses with less face to face contact will re-open first, while close-contact operations like hair salons and dine-in restaurants would open later.
Complaints about the plan mirror an ongoing national divide between officials who want to continue the stay at home mandate to ensure COVID-19 cases remain low and others who want to jump-start the economy to save jobs and businesses on the brink of closure.
Critics said Baker’s lack of detail further hobbles Massachusetts’ businesses. Neighboring states such as Rhode Island have already released detailed floor plans that give business owners a head start before the official re-opening date, said Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance spokesman Paul Diego Craney.
“Now is the time for state house leaders to be as transparent as possible,” said Diego Craney. “We can and should be given more information.”
Baker’s reopening proposal includes a list of mandated safety standards such as social distancing, hand washing, and disinfecting. The advisory board will continue to update their recommendations and provide more specifics before the May 18 re-open date, said Baker.
The GOP pols dismissed recent reports that reopened states like Texas have seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Rep. Alyson Sullivan said many local businesses have studied safe re-open procedures across the country and are ready to get back to work.
“I have confidence that people will exercise good judgement and decision making,” said Sullivan, R-Abington. “We need to protect and rebuild the economy as fast as we can.”
