Dear Colleagues,

The Massachusetts ‘stay at home’ order is currently in effect through Monday, May 18, 2020. On May 18 Governor Charlie Baker will be releasing a report from the state’s Reopening Advisory Board that is expected to outline sector-specific details of a four-phase reopening for Massachusetts. The goal of the phased reopening, based on public health guidance, is to methodically allow certain businesses, services, and activities to resume, while protecting public health and limiting a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases.

As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the MBL will fully comply with state and local requirements until such time that we (a) have state clearance to being reopening and (b) have satisfactorily developed a safe, coordinated, and phased return to campus operations. Although the state may begin a phased reopening next week, MBL operations will remain unchanged until we have our plan in place.

Four MBL working groups are developing re-opening plans specific to Research (led by David Mark Welch), Education (led by Linda Hyman), Campus housing and dining services (led by Marie Russell), and Facilities and Administration/Operations (led by Sebastien Laye). As with the state as whole, the MBL’s reopening will be executed in a phased manner with a focus on ramping up resident research first. A reopening plan will be produced by the end of May.

I will provide resident faculty and staff with an update on plan progress made to date at the State of MBL on Tuesday, May 19.

Paul Speer
Chief Operating Officer