Skip 2022 Boston Marathon If You're Sick: Mayor Wu

BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu joined officials at Boston City Hall Tuesday to discuss the safety plan for next week's Boston Marathon while urging everyone to use their best practices, even if it means staying home if you feel sick.

As COVID-19 numbers slowly continue to rise due to the omicron subvariant BA.2, Wu briefly mentioned the measures for the more than 30,000 participants.

"As always the safety of our runners, spectators, and gatherers is our top priority. We are now at a 5.4 percent positivity rate, which is above our threshold so it's important to make sure the people around us are protected," Wu said, adding "if you're sick please stay home."

Philadelphia became the first major city to reinstate a mask mandate starting Monday, citing rising COVID-19 case numbers.

Read more: Philly Mask Mandate Returns Next Week As COVID Rises

In the wake of the shooting attack inside a New York City subway station Tuesday morning, Wu spoke in front of the press and Boston residents about security concerns for next Monday's 26.2-mile race.

Before Monday's race begins, a flyover of two C-130s from the Bradley Air National Guard Base will monitor the track from Hopkinton to Boston. The aircraft will fly over the course beginning with the Hopkinton start line at approximately 9:58 a.m. and finishing over the Boylston Street finish line at 10:03 a.m. Officials say flying drones along the course is prohibited.

Officials agreed that this is a weekend-long event, as Friday kicks off as Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox and likely drawing in a larger crowd.

Also on Friday, Boston will hold its annual One Boston Day, to honor the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing during a wreath-laying at each of the memorials located on Boylston Street. A moment of silence will be held at 2:49 p.m. - the time the first bomb went off.

"This weekend is going to be extremely busy in the Boylston/Copley area. Anyone down in that area can expect a visible police presence," Boston Police Commissioner Gregory Long said. "Every available officer will be working."

Among the crowd will also be plain-clothed officers. Long said personnel from special operations will line the marathon route and spectators should expect to have their bags searched at security checkpoints.

There will be significant street closures. Travel by car will be difficult and parking will be almost impossible along the streets. Long encouraged spectators to take public transportation for easy access in and out of the area - but Copley Station will be closed all day Monday.

"Right now there is no known credible threat to the marathon, and we are closely monitoring the situation in New York," Long said. "We've asked people to be vigilant; we're asking anyone if you see something - we encourage you to say something."

Related

• 16 Hurt In Brooklyn Subway After Man In Gas Mask Opens Fire
• NYC Under 'Active-Shooter Situation' After Subway Attack: Hochul