Boston Won't Reopen May 4, Mayor Walsh Says

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh said the city will not reopen May 4, extending the closure of nonessential businesses past the date the state once targeted.

Walsh made the announcement Monday afternoon, two hours after Gov. Charlie Baker said his administration would make a decision later this week on whether he would lift some of the most severe social restrictions May 4.

"I can tell you right now Boston will not reopen on May 4," Walsh said for his city.

Walsh did not offer a date for when the city could reopen, but said there need to be "public health benchmarks" in place before it does.

There have been 302 deaths related to the coronavirus and 8,159 confirmed cases in Boston, Walsh said.

Baker has said the decision on when to extend the closures will be based on data, not a date. Baker said Massachusetts has succeeded in flattening the curve, but that a long road is ahead.