Health

New statewide COVID-19 regulations take effect Friday

BOSTON — New protocols to battle COVID-19 go into effect this weekend in Massachusetts. Restaurants here will be closing early and people out in public should be wearing a mask even if there is no one else around.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is asking people to comply or risk the area going right back to square one.

“I guess I have to comply, whatever you have to do keep people safe,” said Max DeRost, who was walking in Boston.

“I think it is a good idea to lessen the spread of COVID and keep everyone away from each other as much as possible,” Max’s wife, Olivia DeRost, said.

The governor’s new protocols are supposed to help turn the rising virus numbers around. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh led his briefing with a plea to the public.

“If you are going to march in the streets of Boston, wear a mask,” he said. “If you are going to demonstrate, wear a mask. If you are going to walk to the store, wear a mask.”

>>>MORE: Statewide stay at home advisory among new changes implemented by Gov. Baker in effort to curb COVID-19 spike

We asked the mayor if there is a plan to enforce mask-wearing or people violating any of the new recommendations.

“I don’t think we should be policing people’s health by telling people you have to wear a mask to keep yourself safe, keep others around you safe,” Mayor Walsh said.

But the mayor did say, if the numbers don’t go back down, there could be an about-face.

“I don’t want to be standing here in two weeks talking about shutting everything thing down,” he said.

People are hoping the mayor’s message is heard.

“I guess it’s up to the person,” Olivia DeRost said. “It’s up to you if you are going to comply with it.”

The mayor said they are still working to secure grant money to help businesses who are once again dealing with losses because of the protocols.

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