6/23/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

/

On June 23rd, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on Testing, COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Site Results, Sales Tax-Free Weekend, and Boston State Hospital Announcement.

Here is the summary.

Testing

  • Yesterday, over 6,700 new tests were reported with 149 positive cases. 

COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Site Results

  • Last week, the Commonwealth offered COVID-19 viral testing for people who had recently attended large gatherings, like the recent protests in honor of George Floyd. 

    • Out of the 17,617 tests that were conducted statewide, 2.5% came back positive for COVID-19. This is consistent with the numbers that we have been seeing. 

Sales Tax-Free Weekend

  • This was passed and enacted by the legislature that was signed last year. This year, the sales tax-free weekend in MA will be August 29th and 30th. 

Boston State Hospital Announcement

  • The hospital’s property has been in the stages of redevelopment for some time now and to date, a number of different projects have been developed. Today, Governor Baker announced that Primary Corporation in conjunction with Toll Brothers has been selected to develop the final ten acres of this project. 

  • This specific contracting project will be using the MassPort Model which integrates diversity and inclusion for development, financing, construction, and more. 

  • Upon completion, this entire project will result in the development of around 200 housing units, over 50 affordable units for seniors, nearly 300 rental units, 45 cooperative townhouses, wildlife sanctuary, and many more. Construction-related activity will begin sometime in 2021 and conclude in 2024.