Bars quietly moved to Phase 4 of reopening

For bars without seated food service in Massachusetts, the path toward reopening includes a difficult challenge: figuring out a risk-free framework for operating during the COVID-19 era.

"The big issue with respect to bars is coming up with a model that we believe can actually be done safely," Gov. Charlie Baker said at a Tuesday press conference. "And as we've seen in a number of other places around the country that have moved forward very aggressively, they've started to see a pretty significant rise in new cases, and we're going to work very hard to make sure that doesn't happen here in Massachusetts."

Bars were originally categorized in Phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan, which could begin later this month, but the administration moved those without food licenses into Phase 4 after officials determined that if they do not provide seated food service, they are more similar to nightclubs. Dance clubs and nightclubs cannot resume operations until Phase 4, which the administration has said will require a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19.

It is unclear when this change occurred.

Stephen Clark, vice president of government affairs at Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said "according to the governor's order, a bar is defined as place that only serves alcohol and does not have a food permit."

"In lieu of guidance from the Commonwealth, we have been advising bar owners who do not have food permits to work with their local officials to acquire a food permit," he said in a statement to the News Service. "More clarity is needed from the commonwealth, but if that is what is going to be the difference between a Phase 2 opening and a Phase 4 opening, I would do what I could to get open in Phase 2."

Since shutdowns and closures started to spread across the nation, non-essential businesses have had to close in an attempt to curb the spread of the highly contagious respiratory virus. The national unemployment spiked to 14.7 percent in April before dropping off to 13.3 percent in May.