WORCESTER, Mass. - A new feeling Tuesday in Massachusetts, as the State of Emergency caused by the coronavirus, is over.

"I think it's a huge sign of momentum that we're coming out of the pandemic and that there are brighter days ahead," said Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus on Tuesday.

The end of Gov.Charlie Baker's State of Emergency comes at a time where Massachusetts is getting closer and closer to herd immunity.

Discussing vaccination rates Tuesday, the state's Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said, "There is no county now that has less than 50% of individuals 18 plus with at least one dose." 

What You Need To Know

  • Legislators are working to further extend pandemic provisions which ended Tuesday morning
  • Programs like to-go cocktails, outdoor dining, and eviction protection are some of topics being discussed
  • The Central Mass. Housing Alliance says they're helping roughly 400 families a week with rental assistance
  • CMHA expects a backlog in applicants until at least early 2022

 

It also means the end for numerous pandemic provisions which helped people and businesses the last 15 months. Policies like to-go cocktails at restaurants and eviction protection for renters.

"So what we're really concerned about is that there are going to be more evictions that are filed," said Central Mass Housing Alliance (CMHA) Executive Director Leah Bradley.

Bradley started in her position with the CMHA in September, just a month the state's eviction moratorium ended in October. She says the number of applications for assistance the CMHA handled each week went from 75 to 400. Eight months later, it hasn't let up.

"The State of Emergency is ending, but that doesn't mean that folks are automatically going to be out of trouble with their rent and other things," Bradley said. "So, we really just want to make sure folks stay in their current units that they can afford."

State lawmakers are negotiating which pandemic policies to extend. Bradley is hoping the legislature sees the need for keeping the rental assistance portion.

"I can't say enough how hard it is for folks who have been impacted by covid who've lost their jobs how hard it is to find a new apartment," Bradley said. "So we really want to keep folks where they're at."

The  CMHA says they expect to have a backlog in cases through at least this calendar year. If you or anyone you know is in need of some assistance, they say get in contact with them whether it's through their website or through phone and you can set up an in-person appointment.