The announcement is not altogether surprising, as Governor Baker has long urged a cautious approach to re-opening and stressed the need for additional testing. At the same time he extended the Order, Governor Baker also announced the formation of a Reopening Advisory Board that will report to the Governor on strategies for a safe, gradual reopening of businesses. That report is due to the Governor on May 18, 2020, meaning there is a strong chance that at least portions of the Order will be extended past May 18, 2020 while the administration develops a plan.

At the same time, Governor Baker also extended and issued updated guidance regarding some additional prior Orders, including the prohibition on gatherings of 10 or more individuals, guidance to hotels and motels, and guidance to nurseries, greenhouses, and garden centers. The updated guidance to hotels and motels generally limits operations to providing housing to specific populations, such as certain essential out-of-state workers, homeless populations, and populations that are isolating or self-quarantining. The updated guidance to greenhouses and garden centers largely allows such facilities to operate brick-and-mortar premises, but requires now-familiar safety precautions, such as social distancing, offering of curbside pickup, and provision of hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes.

In a similar vein, the Governor also issued guidance to farmers’ markets, retail farm stands, and CSAs, clarifying that – much like grocery stores – such facilities are considered essential and may remain open with appropriate precautions (such as social distancing, limiting of customers, frequent disinfecting of surfaces, and so forth).