Yesterday, Governor Charlie Baker announced that the state will revise its COVID-19 policies, a move that includes good news for early education and care providers.

“…the Commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June,” a press release from the governor’s office explains, and “all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29.”

Massachusetts will also update its guidance on masks and face coverings to be consistent with recent mask updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, individual businesses and employers in Massachusetts will still be able to set their own mask rules.

On June 15, 2021, Baker will end the state of emergency that was triggered by the pandemic.

What does this mean for early educators?

The governor and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)are providing answers.

As the governor’s press release says, as of today, the Department of Early Education and Care will “no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess.” This guidance will “remain in effect beyond May 29.” Children and adults should, however, continue to wear masks when they are indoors.

EEC also has a list of frequently asked questions regarding the current version of the state’s Child Care Playbook that provide additional useful information. Some partial examples are:

“How frequently do programs have to clean spaces or surfaces?”

“Based on CDC guidance and updated information on the low likelihood of surface transmission, as of May 17th, 2021, programs only need to clean high touch surfaces (door handles, bus seats, drinking fountains) and shared objects within the program and on program transport vehicles once a day, excluding certain circumstances.”

“Can parents/guardians go into the child care space?”

“Yes. Programs may choose to allow visitors, including parents/guardians, to re-enter the child care space as long as they adhere to the health and safety protocols. Programs have the discretion to decide which visitors will be allowed back into the program and under what conditions.”

“Can programs have activities with independent service providers (like music or art classes)?”

“Yes. Programs may choose to allow visitors, including service providers, to re-enter the program space to provide classes or services as long as they adhere to the health and safety protocols. Programs have the discretion to decide which visitors will be allowed back into the program and under what conditions.”

“Do children have to be 6 feet apart when eating indoors?”

“Yes. All individuals must maintain 6 ft of physical distance when unmasked and indoors unless a physical barrier (for instance, plexiglass or similar) can be positioned between children when sitting closer together.”

In an email, EEC Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy writes, “EEC is continuing to develop new resources as quickly as possible to support programs during the ongoing transition out of pandemic conditions.” So stay tuned for more information.

Baker sums up all this welcome progress, saying:

“We said since Day 1 that we will get through this together because the people of Massachusetts are strong, kind and willing to sacrifice to help their neighbor. Today we know more than ever that that is the truth.”