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Industry News.

Massachusetts Removes Golf Facility Guidelines and Relaxes Face Covering Guidance

4/27/2021

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(Updated on the Mass.gov website 4/27/21; Effective on 4/30/21)

On Friday, April 30th, Massachusetts will permanently eliminate golf specific guidance and the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings, inclusive of golf activity.
To view the full press release on the Mass.gov website, CLICK HERE

There will no longer be specific “golf facility guidelines” that need to be followed. All courses, clubs, and golf facilities can implement any additional safety measures as they see fit.
  • Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places, with exceptions in the sector-specific rules (e.g., eating, in your own office).
  • Face coverings will be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance (e.g., at events or gatherings).
    • Masks will not be required out on the golf course or in practice areas (ranges, chipping, and putting areas) if social distancing can be maintained.
Other aspects of golf facility operations including clubhouse activities should be addressed through those sector-specific guidelines (i.e. restaurants, gyms, functions/gatherings, retail, etc.)
Phase 1 Guidance to be removed on April 30th:
  • Industries with no previous capacity limits will follow general business guidance
  • All others will follow sectors not otherwise addressed
  • Phase 1 Industry Guidance to be removed:
    • Golf Facilities
    Please continue to check back frequently for any updates by the Governor’s Administration.
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Baker Announces Move to Phase III, Step 2 and Sets Date for Phase IV

2/25/2021

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(Updated on the Mass.gov website 2/25/21; Effective on 3/1/21)
The Governor’s Administration Announced announced that Massachusetts would advance to Step 2 of Phase III of the state’s reopening plan on Monday, March 1, and also announced its plan to transition to Step 1 of Phase IV on Monday, March 22. To view the press release on the Mass.gov website, CLICK HERE

Phase Three, Step 2
Beginning March 1, all communities will move back to Phase III, Step 2 of Massachusetts’ re-opening plan, including the following restrictions:
  • Indoor theaters and performance venues and higher contact indoor recreation businesses will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity with no more than 500 persons
  • Restaurants will no longer have a percent capacity limit and will be permitted to host musical performances; six-foot social distancing, limits of six people per table and 90-minute limits remain in place
NOTE: Indoor simulators/ranges are allowed to remain open but must comply with the golf facility capacity guidelines of 50%.
Increased Capacity at Golf Facilities in all communities, capacity will be raised from 40% to 50% for golf facilities. NOTE: This capacity adjustment is for the indoor areas of a golf facility and not for the outdoor areas of a golf facility.

Phase Four, Step 1
​Beginning March 22, provided public health metrics continue to improve, all communities in Massachusetts will move into Step 1 of Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan, with the following restrictions:
  • Outdoor gatherings at event venues will be limited to no more than 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors
  • Dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only
  • Overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer.
FEBRUARY 25TH PRESS RELEASE
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Temporary Capacity and Gathering Limits

12/22/2020

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(Updated on the Mass.gov website 12/22/20; Effective on 12/26/20)
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020, Massachusetts will implement temporary capacity limits to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise. Businesses must adhere to the following capacity limitations. The revised limits below supersede existing limits in the Phase 3, Step 1 Sector-Specific Protocols. Except for the specified adjustments to capacity limitations, all other terms of COVID-19 gatherings order (including exceptions) and all sector-specific workplace safety rules remain unchanged. These limits are in effect until January 10, 2021 unless further extended by the Governor.

Similar to almost all other business sectors, golf facilities will be limited to 25% capacity applying only to indoor spaces. Restaurants will also be limited to 25% capacity, but workers/staff are excluded from occupancy count. It is also noted that this "applies separately to indoor and outdoor capacity." 
DECEMBER 22ND PRESS RELEASE
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Baker Announces Rollback to Phase III, Step 1

12/8/2020

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(Updated on the Mass.gov website 12/8/20; Effective on 12/13/20)
The Governor's Administration Announced New Restrictions Statewide for Capacity, Mask Compliance and Distancing Due to Increased Cases, Hospitalizations. The full press release is available on the Mass.gov website and via the link below.
"These new measures are designed to prevent infection and viral spread, especially in indoor settings. They will create stronger mask compliance, more social distancing, and limits to the time spent with people outside of your immediate household."
NOVEMBER 8TH PRESS RELEASE
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Updated Statewide Face-Covering Mandate

11/6/2020

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(Updated on the Mass.gov website 11/5/20; Effective on 11/6/20)
The Governor’s Administration updated the state’s golf facility guidelines on the Mass.gov website at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, November 5. It has been confirmed that face-coverings are required by anyone at the facility, even while playing.

Face Coverings Required While Practicing and Playing
“Require face coverings for all customers and workers, except where an individual is unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.”
FULL DETAILS ON UPDATED FACE-COVERING MANDATE (MASS.GOV)
FULL DETAILS OF STAY-AT-HOME ADVISORY (MASS.GOV)

Early Closure Guidance
“In accordance with the COVID-19 Order No. 53, Requiring Early Closing for Certain Businesses and Activities Golf Facilities must close to the public by 9:30 pm and may not re-open to the public before 5:00 am the following day (“mandatory closing period”). During this daily mandatory closing period, Golf Facilities must not admit any customers, patrons, or members of the public. Golf Facilities may permit employees to stay on premises during the mandatory closing period.”
NOVEMBER 2ND PRESS RELEASE
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Golf Courses Can Re-Open as of May 7

5/7/2020

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Updated May 7, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Golf courses are not essential businesses and cannot have employees working on-premise. Notwithstanding this restriction, essential services, such as groundskeeping to avoid hazardous conditions and security, provided by employees, contractors, or vendors are permitted. Private operator of courses may permit individuals access to the property so long as there are no gatherings of any kind, appropriate social distancing of six feet between individuals is strictly followed, and the business operator and golfers abide by the specific guidelines for golf courses.
Municipalities may decide to open municipal courses under these guidelines, if they so choose.
Guidelines:
  • Security personnel can be delineated by each club (ex. A pro and the head starter) and will be present to enforce social distancing. There can be no other employees working at the recreational component of the golf operation.
  • All staff must wear face coverings while on property.
  • Course facilities including but not limited to the clubhouse, golf shop, restaurant, bag room and locker room must remain closed.
  • No caddies allowed.
  • No golf carts allowed
  • Push carts may be used. Players must either carry their own bag or use a push cart.
  • All golfers must maintain proper social distancing of at least 6 feet at all times.
  • Groups of players are restricted to no more than 4 players at one time.
  • Members-only clubs can allow guests as determined by the security personnel on the golf course.
  • Private clubs that allow non-members to make reservations can do so at their discretion.
  • Maintenance personnel are permitted to work on the golf course.
  • Tee Time Policy must be 15 minutes between groups.
  • Golfers must stay in their car until 15 minutes before their tee time and must return to their car immediately following play.
  • Online and remote payment options must be utilized.
  • All golfers must use their own golf clubs. Sharing golf clubs or rental golf clubs is not allowed.
  • Flagsticks must remain in the hole. Hole liners must be raised so picking a ball out of the hole doesn’t occur.
  • Bunker rakes must be removed, and ball washers must be removed or covered.
  • Practice putting green, driving range, and chipping areas must be closed.
  • Facilities must have readily accessible hand sanitizer.

STATEMENT FROM THE ALLIANCE OF MASSACHUSETTS GOLF ORGANIZATIONS
“The Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO) would like to thank the Re-Opening Advisory Board for their hard work and diligence during this process to resume play in Massachusetts. AMGO is continuing to work with the Governor’s Administration to identify and develop additional solutions to emerging issues in the golf industry and to keep them informed on the needs of our community. We understand that many golfers require cart usage for medical reasons or disabilities, which was originally part of our request to the Re-Opening Advisory Board on May 2. We have and will continue to request such adjustments to the guidelines as appropriate to keep everyone safe and to ensure the whole community is able to enjoy the necessary physical and mental exercise that we all need during this time.”
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AMGO Asks to Continue Course Maintenance during Shutdown

3/24/2020

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​The Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations, is working to gain further clarification on aspects of the Executive Order that are ambiguous. At minimum, a request has been sent to the Governor’s office for an exemption around the maintenance of golf courses in the Commonwealth.  We hope that they will view this request as an essential service as many other states have already done.  Please take the time to read the letter in the link below and share it with those that may be able to carry the message along.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR BAKER: MARCH 24, 2020
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AMGO Sends Letter to Governor's Office

3/20/2020

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Updated March 20, 2020 at 9:30 AM
The Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations sent a request to the Governor’s office for an exemption around the non-essential services list and for golf courses in the commonwealth to remain open for play in following the CDC and WHO published guidelines.  Please take the time to read the letter in the link below and share it with those that may be able to carry the message along.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR BAKER: MARCH 20, 2020
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    COVID-19 NOTE
    The COVID-19 Golf Guidelines for Facilities in Massachusetts have been permanently eliminated. Golf Facilities should now follow the
    Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces for protocols for Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed.
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  • Why Golf?
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