By Alan Stanton –

On Sunday health officials reported 100 new deaths from COVID-19, the highest reported daily death count since May 20, when 128 new deaths were reported from COVID-19 in the Bay State.

Health officials also reported 2,973 new active coronavirus cases in the state.

The total, confirmed deaths in the Bay State is now 11,852 with a total of 338,704 cases reported.

As of Saturday, new restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 announced earlier this week by Gov. Baker went into effect. These restrictions include new capacity and gathering limits at 25% for the following:

Restaurants (based on permitted seating capacity)

Close Contact Personal Services

Theatres and Performance Venues

Casinos

Office Spaces

Places of Worship

Retail Businesses

Driving and Flight Schools

Golf Facilities (for indoor spaces)

Libraries

Lodging (for common areas)

Arcades and Indoor Recreation Businesses

Fitness Centers and Health Clubs

Museums, Cultural Facilities and Guided Tours

Now the Governor’s office in a statement this past week said that, “Workers and staff will not count towards the occupancy count for restaurants, places of worship, close contact personal services, and retail businesses.”

These new restrictions will remain in effect until noon on January 10, 2021.

Also this past week, the City of Worcester announced that it will close City Hall and other municipal buildings to the public from Thursday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Jan. 11.

In addition to City Hall the following municipal buildings will also be closed:

Senior Center

Worcester Public Library

Department of Public Works and Parks offices

25 Meade St., which houses Inspectional Services, Worcester Division of Public Health and Fire Prevention.