Massachusetts Gov. Baker Prohibits Reusable Bags During Coronavirus Emergency

Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts announced on Wednesday a temporary ban on reusable bags in grocery stores and pharmacies, WCVB of Boston reported. The order also prohibits stores from charging for paper and plastic bags while the order is in place. “From now on, reusable bags are prohibited and all regulations on plastic bag bans are lifted,” he said.

Previously, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh had announced the same measures in the city.

In addition to lifting the plastic bag ban, Baker’s order require grocery stores and pharmacies to have at least one hour per day of shopping time reserved for adults over 60-years old, offer hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes for customers to use in store for cleaning carts, and to maintain six feet of distance between both customers and staff.

Several companies had recently adopted these changes on their own, and some chains also announced plans to install precautionary plexiglass barriers at checkout lanes.