Boston Mayor Declares A Public Health Emergency

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh declared a public health emergency on Sunday to help respond to emerging developments in the city of Boston when it comes to the new coronavirus pandemic. The mayor announced that the number of cases in Boston has gone up to 29.

"We're experiencing a public health emergency in the city of Boston, and we need to have at our disposal every resource available," Walsh said during a press conference Sunday afternoon.

The mayor outlined more details on how the school shut down would work, and declared that restaurants coffee shops and bars would have to cut capacity by 50 percent and close by 11 p.m. not permit lines outside or risk being shut down for 30 days.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said there were 164 cases across the commonwealth as of Sunday afternoon, including 45 cases confirmed by the CDC. According to the state, 75 of the cases are situated in Middlesex County.

Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on March 10. Then, on March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. The pandemic declaration refers to the scope of the new coronavirus — but not its severity — and means it has become a "worldwide spread of a new disease." On March 13, President Donald Trump declared the pandemic a National Emergency.
Local health officials say the next two weeks are critical for slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Officials are recommending residents practice social distancing, or remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining about 6 feet from those who are not in their household when possible.

"This is not about you this is about your fellow Bostonians," said Walsh, calling for social solidarity. "This is a time of shared sacrifice and I know that we are capable about that in the city of Boston"

Walsh called on residents to practice social distancing, which is backed by science, he pointed out.

"This week is critical to flattening the curve," said Walsh, echoing a number of health experts about significantly reducing the spread of the virus.

On restaurants and bars:

The mayor said restaurants and bars have all been told to reduce their capacity to 50 percent, to follow the guidelines on social distancing and make sure there are no lines outside.
All eat in establishments from coffee shops to pizza shops will have to take away seating and close at 11 p.m. in an effort to help them practice social distancing.
Any violators will face a 30-day suspension, according to Walsh.
This doesn't apply to take out businesses, he said.

On Schools:

Schools will be closed from Tuesday through April 27, though Walsh said if the city can safely reopen schools before that, they will. The mayor said buses will run on normal schedules Monday so that families can go to school and pick up their students' belongings or medications.

Exceptions for Monday will be the Eliott School and the McKinley schools, because of a member of the community testing presumptive positive at the Eliott School and one member of the McKinnely School being tested.

Walsh said because 72 percent of the students in the Boston school system qualifies as economically disadvantaged, his administration is working to make sure they still have access to meals. Beginning Tuesday, families can pick up grab and go lunch options, the mayor said.

"No child will not be provided a meal if they want one," said Walsh.

The mayor said schools planned to share printed learning materials Monday so that students could continue to learn at home. Materials would also be made available with food pick up and online.

The mayor said that the district was working on making sure Chromebooks were available for any student who needs one.

Walsh said his opinion is that the state should cancel MCAS testing.

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