MASS. - More than 460 days ago, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a State of Emergency in Massachusetts.

At one of the very first COVID-19 press briefings, the Governor described coronavirus as, "...a rapidly evolving disease."

Fifteen months later, the State of emergency comes to an end Tuesday.

"Data, which has sort of been a north star for us on all of these restrictions and advisories and orders and guidance since this began, at this point in time does not support a State of Emergency," Gov. Baker said at a press briefing May 28, the same day he signed an order rescinding coronavirus restrictions. 

What You Need To Know

  • Tuesday is the first day since March 2020 Massachusetts won't be under a State of Emergency
  • Things like eviction protection, remote meetings, and to-go cocktails are set to end
  • Ending the State of Emergency doesn't mean the end of COVID-19 says Worcester's Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh

In Worcester, the City's Medical Director, Dr. Michael Hirsh, says he's encouraged by the progress the state has made.

"The numbers continue to go down as far as COVID cases," Dr. Hirsh said Monday. "And with the increased activity and large number of gatherings, even without masks, we haven't seen a spike."

Things like remote meetings, eviction protections, and to-go cocktails are some of what will go away Tuesday, at least until state lawmakers pass new legislation. And though things seem more normal again, Dr. Hirsh did says we're not out of the woods yet.

"About one out of seven cases now in the Northeast is turning out to be the Delta variant," Dr. Hirsh said. "The one from India which wreaked such havoc there."

Small clusters of positive cases will still happen according to Hirsh, but no major outbreaks or surges. He believes coronavirus might be something we deal with for a long time.

"I don't know if it will be as prevalent as the flu has been over the years," Dr. Hirsh said. "But it's not going to be gone until at least 2022."

Dr. Hirsh says the next big step in battling the coronavirus is getting FDA approval for a vaccine for children aged two years and older. He says it would have a significant impact on percentage of Americans who are vaccinated.