SUNDERLAND — In response to a COVID-19 surge at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Board of Health voted Monday night in support of implementing an emergency order that sets a 25 percent capacity limit on businesses and requires they close by 9:30 p.m.

The decision effectively reverses the state’s decision to increase the capacity limit on businesses from 25 percent to 40 percent on Monday. Gov. Charlie Baker had also announced in late January that he would be rescinding the early closure order.

The Sunderland Board of Health’s order went into effect at 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Penalties for non-compliance remain what they’ve been throughout the pandemic, with fines ranging from $50 for a first offense to $200 for a third or subsequent offense.

The local order comes in response to the recent surge in cases reported at UMass Amherst, Board of Health Chair Caitlyn Rock explained at a joint Board of Health and Selectboard meeting on Monday night. She said the university has more than 400 cases, and well over 178 of those cases are off campus.

In response to the surge, the university mandated a self-quarantine order, advising that students only leave their dorms for testing or medical appointments.

“Right now (Sunderland) has about 30 cases,” Rock said, noting that number is up from six. “The majority of those cases I would say are from UMass.”

Officials in other towns affected, including Hadley and Amherst, met on Sunday to discuss the situation at UMass, she said. And although Sunderland isn’t as affected as Hadley and Amherst in terms of the number of businesses, Rock felt it was a “responsible move” to take action.

Rock proposed reassessing the situation in two weeks. Selectboard Chair David Pierce asked if there are metrics the town could follow for making a subsequent assessment.

“I don’t really want to use a number,” Rock responded. “I want to look at what’s coming out of UMass. I would prefer we meet with Amherst, Hadley, the town administrators, and the on-campus health department to see where their trend is going.”

Town Administrator Geoff Kravitz said that, in his conversations with local business owners prior to Monday’s night emergency joint meeting, most seemed receptive.

“Most of the ones I talked to didn’t have any concerns with either of the two things that were recommended,” he said, noting many said they weren’t meeting the capacity limit before or that they already had earlier closing hours in place.

Board of Health member Bruce Bennett voiced support for the proposal, before making a motion to take a vote.

“I think it’s a good idea to be safe,” he said, “and to protect the townspeople as well as the students.”

Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne