Opening Day at Fenway Park isn’t far away, and now it looks as though there will be some baseball fans in the stands to witness it.
Governor Charlie Baker announced Thursday that the state will reopen large venues on March 22, including the arenas where Boston’s pro sports teams play: Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, and TD Garden.
The reopening comes as the state plans to shift into Phase 4, Step 1, of the plan outlined last spring during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, as long as data continue to show a trend downward in cases.
It applies to venues that can accommodate more than 5,000 people. They will be expected to operate at 12 percent capacity, and will be required to submit a plan to the state’s Department of Public Health about the precautions being implemented.
The announcement came as Baker also lifted restrictions on many other businesses, which will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity (up from 40 percent in place now) beginning Monday when the state moves to Phase 3, Step 2.
The decision, which reflects a steady decline in COVID-19 rates in the state in recent weeks, follows New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to reopen such venues in his state this month, with a 10 percent capacity limit in arenas and stadiums.
The Red Sox open the season at Fenway Park April 1 against the Orioles. The team said in a statement Thursday that season ticket-holders will have first dibs on the chance to attend games.
The Celtics’ first home game after March 22 is on the 29th, against the Pelicans. The Bruins are scheduled to face the Islanders March 23 at TD Garden. While the regular-season schedule for the Revolution hasn’t been released, the MLS club said Thursday that it is excited to welcome fans back when the season begins in mid-April.
What has yet to be addressed, Baker said, is how teams will play at venues that also host vaccination sites. Fenway and Gillette were the first mass vaccination sites opened in the state.
“They’re important players in this vaccine effort,” he said. “We’re going to try to figure that one out.”
Officials from the Red Sox are committed to the ballpark remaining a vaccination site during the regular season, and said in a statement that the club is “working closely with the state and vaccination site partners at CIC Health to develop revised operating plans” that take into account the 81-game home slate.
Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement that they are “thrilled” that fans will be allowed back into the venue. The announcement came on the same day the site at the stadium administered its 100,000th vaccination.
“This step represents the progress vaccinations are providing to minimize the risk of infection through herd immunity,” the statement reads. “It is an important step toward a return to normalcy for fans of the New England Revolution and New England Patriots and provides a sense of optimism for a much brighter future ahead.”
Stadium officials said they worked closely with the state’s reopening advisory board, along with other experts, to create a plan.
“As the region’s largest outdoor venue, we are confident in our ability to provide a safe and comfortable environment and look forward to welcoming fans back home to Gillette Stadium this spring,” the statement said.
Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @k8tmac. Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeSilvermanBB.