COVID-19 state of emergency ends in Massachusetts

The 15-month long COVID-19 state of emergency in Massachusetts expired on Tuesday, one month after Gov. Charlie Baker (R) stated he would lift the emergency declaration due to falling infection rates and continued vaccination efforts.

“Effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 15, 2021, the declaration that I issued on March 10, 2020 pursuant to the Civil Defense Act and Section 2A of Chapter 17 of the General Laws is rescinded and the state of emergency initiated by that declaration is terminated,” the Massachusetts governor said in an order, according to CBS Boston.

Baker had issued dozens of emergency orders throughout the pandemic, the station notes, though restrictions on businesses and mask mandates had expired toward the end of May.

However, Baker has also filed legislation to extend some emergency orders, including restrictions on outdoor dining and COVID-19 billing protection for patients.

On Tuesday, Baker’s office also announced the launch of the Mass VaxMillions vaccine lottery program, which gives fully vaccinated adults the chance to win one of five $1 million prizes, joining states like California, Ohio and Washington that have also set up lottery programs to encourage vaccinations. Vaccinated children from the ages of 12 to 17 will also be eligible to enter and win one of five $300,000 scholarships grants.

Eligible Massachusetts residents may enter the lottery beginning on July 1.

“The Commonwealth leads the nation in vaccinating our residents, with almost four million people fully vaccinated, and our goal remains ensuring everyone that wants a vaccine has access to one,” Baker said in the press release.

“The VaxMillions Giveaway is one of the many ways our administration is encouraging people to get the vaccine, and we are grateful for the partnership of Treasurer Goldberg and the Mass State Lottery in developing the program,” he added.