Pandemic Could Last A Year, Boston Mayor Warns

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh reminded residents that Memorial Day weekend isn't the time to let go of the rope on social distancing. After listening to Walsh ahead of the holiday, that time may not come for many holidays to come.

Walsh told residents Thursday they shouldn't be making play dates, playing sports or having beach parties — trademarks of summer's unofficial kickoff that this year carry with them unprecedented risk.

"I have major concerns with that, because we’re still in the very early stages of this pandemic," Walsh said. "I’m personally asking people: Don’t be hanging out on the beach. If you go for walks, practice social distancing, physical distancing, and don’t be playing volleyball on the beach, things like that."

It probably won't be the last time he makes such pleas this summer.

"We could be battling this pandemic for eight months to a year," Walsh said.

Memorial Day will see a slew of activities and businesses resume, though all with varying levels of restrictions. The question is whether people will feel comfortable taking part in them, and whether the people who do will respect the guidelines. See what will open Memorial Day.

One industry Walsh is trying to help jump start is restaurants, which has been ravaged by COVID-19. Walsh on Thursday said he is working to make it possible for restaurants to extend outdoor seating in the streets of Boston, hopefully enticing customers with safer measures.

Boston's mayor has been among the most cautious public voices in the fight against the coronavirus. Earlier in the week he said he thought opening up Boston's offices to even 25 percent capacity was too much; Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday Boston's offices will reopen to that capacity June 1, a week after the rest of the state.

State health officials on Thursday revealed another 1,114 cases and 82 deaths related to the coronavirus.