Beverly Coronavirus Update: New Guidelines For Pedestrians

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly residents are being asked to walk on sidewalks in the direction of oncoming traffic to limit coming into contact with one another.

The Beverly Board of Health passed the order last week as a way of helping slow the spread of the new coronavirus. With Massachusetts residents under a stay-at-home advisory, many are turning to walks outside the home to pass long days of confinement. That has led to congestion on city sidewalks at a time when people are being told to stay at least six feet apart from one another.

"If you go out walking, please walk on the left side of the street facing traffic, otherwise you’ll keep walking into others, putting your health and theirs at risk," Mayor Mike Cahill said in a message to residents Sunday. "Families, if you need to take walks or bike rides, please stay close to home, and please stay away from other people."

Cahill also urged residents to follow newly-issued guidance from the Centers for Disease Control to wear nonsurgical face masks in public.

"Please know that what we – you and I – are doing now, and what we do in the coming days and weeks, will either save lives or cost lives – right here in Beverly. This depends on all of us," Cahill said.