Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday that Massachusetts is launching a new online portal where residents can report any businesses that are violating the state's reopening guidelines.
Anyone wishing to submit a report of non-compliance can go to mass.gov/compliance or call the state's 211 COVID-19 hotline. Baker said investigations can result in enforcement measures if violations are discovered. He did not say what those enforcement measures might entail.
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"We know everyone's working hard to be safe and create the best new normal we can with COVID-19," Baker said. "We hope this tool can help promote accountability as we continue to reopen Massachusetts."
He said most of the complaints will be referred back to local officials, unless the state is the licensing agency.
Also on Monday, Baker announced $16.1 million in relief funding for special education residential schools during a visit to the New England Center for Children in Southborough.
"Throughout the pandemic, schools like this one remained open. These schools incurred unanticipated costs," he said.
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A week after most of the rest of Massachusetts, Boston is entering the third phase of its coronavirus economic restart on Monday.
Under the plan, movie theaters, museums and historical sites, as well as gyms, are among the businesses allowed to reopen with appropriate public health measures in place, including social distancing and mask-wearing.
Boston's plan differs slightly from the state plan. For example, libraries will remain closed for browsing, but card holders can still order books for pickup.
The city is also limiting attendance at outdoor gatherings to 50 people, while the state limit is 100.
Somerville officials announced Friday it would delay phase three until July 20.
Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said he’s still concerned about transmission of the disease in indoor spaces in the state’s most densely populated city.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 172 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 14 new deaths on Sunday.
There have now been more than 105,600 confirmed cases and more than 8,100 coronavirus-related deaths in the state.
There are currently 583 people hospitalized with the disease, up from 572 on Saturday. The number of patients in intensive care rose to 93 on Sunday, up from 87 the previous day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
