Local News

Marty Walsh says no stay-at-home order ‘right now,’ as Cambridge, Somerville close more businesses

"We are heading, potentially, to that particular situation."

Mayor Marty Walsh gives a press conference in front of City Hall covering the actions the city is taking against COVID-19. Blake Nissen / The Boston Globe, file

By Nik DeCosta-Klipa

March 20, 2020

3 minutes to read

The three biggest cities in the United States are now under “stay at home” orders. And two mayors on the other side of the Charles River are calling for the same in Massachusetts. However, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh reiterated Friday afternoon that there are no plans to issue such an order — either in his city or the state.

“At least as of right now,” Walsh said during a press conference Friday.

While the mayor and Gov. Charlie Baker have imposed sweeping new restrictions — from closing schools, dine-in restaurants, and construction project to banning public gatherings of more than 25 people — in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, they have repeatedly shot down rumors that an order for residents to stay home is around the corner. Baker did so again during a separate press conference Friday. But for his part, Walsh has more openly acknowledged that the additional step could be an option in the future.

“We are heading, potentially, to that particular situation,” he said during an appearance on WGBH, as the number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts surpassed 400 in their biggest daily increase Friday.

Walsh said the decision would “not be made lightly or in isolation,” noting that he has been in constant contact with Baker, who also currently feels such an order is unnecessary. Walsh stressed the “voluntary social distancing” that is already occurring, as many employees work remotely and have limited options for organized public gatherings.

“We can basically do it ourselves without being ordered by the government,” he said.

Entering the weekend, the mayor did however express strong disapproval of reports of people hosting parties at their own homes, given the evidence that asymptomatic individuals may be driving the spread of the disease.

“That can’t happen,” Walsh said. “All it takes is one person at that gathering.”

His comments Friday came as Illinois and New York joined California in issuing their own statewide “stay at home” orders, which officials prefer to the initially used “shelter in place” terminology. They effectively mean the same thing; each order asks residents to stay inside as much as possible and requires “nonessential” business to either close or let employees work from home. But they also have wide exceptions for businesses defined as “essential” and individuals are also allowed to go out for groceries, health care, exercise, or to care for a family member or friend, among other reasons.

In nearby Cambridge and Somerville, officials took another step in that direction Friday. Cambridge ordered the temporary closure of salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, and fitness centers, while Somerville shut down those businesses, as well as general retail stores selling nonessential goods, in addition to the existing measures to close playgrounds. Somerville’s order takes effect Sunday; the restrictions in Cambridge will be enforced starting Monday.

“Cambridge and other communities are taking this step to ensure we can effectively halt the spread of COVID-19, protect our community, and put us back on the path to normalcy as quickly as possible,” Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A, DePasquale said in a joint statement. “We encourage people to continue to exercise. You can still take a walk and get fresh air, but please keep six feet between you and others.”

Siddiqui and other state and local lawmakers urged Baker earlier this week to issue a shelter-in-place order. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone joined them Friday with a call for a regional approach.

“The region, the northeast, and the nation must act now to prevent unnecessary loss of life,” Curtatone said in a statement.

“I am calling for Massachusetts to join Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire to implement uniform bold measures including a Stay at Home order,” he added. “This is no time for half measures and there is no time to delay. Municipalities can start this process but the region must complete it.”

So far, Walsh and Baker have resisted those calls. As the disease spreads, Walsh says they’re closely following the number to determine what further actions are needed. Asked if he anticipated a potential stay-at-home order, Walsh said Friday that “everything is on the table.