WALSH: ‘WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT’
Hub mayor stays more cautious in reopening approach
Mayor Martin Walsh on Tuesday offered a cautious glimpse into what reopening Boston from its coronavirus shutdown will look like, indicating he’s willing to move slower than the state to prevent a resurgence of the highly contagious disease.
“I am going to put the health and safety of Boston residents before any requirements or regulations,” Walsh said in a press conference outside Boston City Hall. “I know we’ll work with the state on that.”
Boston’s reopening already is moving on a slower timeline than the fourphased plan the state rolled out this week. The city is phasing in construction — rather than the blanket green light Gov. Charlie Baker gave on Monday — with Walsh allowing work on schools, hospitals, smaller residential projects and open-air construction to resume this week, while other construction can pick up after Memorial Day.
And while offices elsewhere in the state can open up to 25% capacity next week as Phase 1 continues, employers must wait until June 1 to do so in Boston.
The mayor said he’s “personally not comfortable” with the 25% cap, saying it’s “too much” to start with. The city is looking at reducing capacity and plans to issue additional safety guidelines next week, Walsh said, urging companies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible.
“Whatever your age or occupation, we are committed to your health, your safety,” Walsh said. “We will not take steps that will put anyone at undue risk.”
Walsh called Baker’s plan — developed with guidance from a 17-member reopening committee that included the mayor’s chief of staff — “a very thoughtful approach.” He cited the need to restart the city’s decimated economy and expressed regret over the closure of South End favorite Stella Restaurant and Bar — the latest business to fall victim to the coronavirus crisis.
But Walsh said, “I know many of our small business owners are concerned about their ability to open safely. … If you don’t feel comfortable opening, I want to assure you we will back your decision.” He also asked seniors not to return to houses of worship just yet even though services can resume this week, and said the city’s 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will remain in place.
The city is also looking at partial street closures to help restaurants expand outdoor dining when they’re allowed to offer inperson service again during Phase 2, currently slated for June.
“As we open businesses and restaurants and retail and offices, we have to get it right,” Walsh said. “Because I don’t think we can afford a second close-down.”
Mayors of some other major Massachusetts cities also appear to be moving more cautiously than the state’s guidelines. Somerville
Mayor Joseph Curtatone said Monday his city will open up at a slower pace. In hard-hit Revere, Mayor Brian Arrigo’s administration is working with the business community to customize guidelines.