Lawrence Cancels Public Events Through 2020

LAWRENCE, MA — The mayor of Lawrence has issued a public order canceling all events through the end of the year, one of the state's most long-term commitments to battling the coronavirus.

Mayor Dan Rivera made the announcement Friday afternoon in a joint press conference with Gov. Charlie Baker in front of Lawrence General Hospital. Rivera also said the city is investing $1 million from its reserves to test 1,000 residents a day in partnership with the hospital.

The testing increase is a small step forward in Baker's plan for the state to become the world's leader in per-capita testing. He reiterated his goal for Massachusetts to elevate its testing capacity from 10,000-15,000 per day to 45,000 per day by the end of July and 75,000 per day by the end of December.

The state reported on Thursday administering 11,533 tests, upping the total to 501,486.

Rivera's order shutting down public events through December takes Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's ban on large events through Labor Day even further — though Boston relies much more heavily on major events like sports, concerts and festivals.

Lawrence has been one of the hardest-hit cities in Massachusetts. "There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact in gateway cities like Lawrence," Baker said.

Baker also made an familiar but impassioned plea to people ahead of Memorial Day weekend: be smart, be safe.

"Respect the virus and understand that distancing and face coverings if you can't stay distant are your two greatest allies in preventing the spread," he said.

Baker, sometimes raising his voice, said the state cannot lose the progress it's made over the past couple months.

"Don't let a few nice days step on that," he said.