BOSTON — Just one week away from the original deadline to reopen the state’s economy, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh says that’s not going to happen in the city as planned.
“I can tell you right now Boston will not open on May 4,” said Mayor Walsh Monday.
Boston business owners like Robert Dello Russo understand why, as Massachusetts remains in the middle of a surge of COVID-19 cases.
“It just would be irresponsible to allow people to open right now,” said Robert Dello Russo.
Dello Russo owns Boston Barber and Tattoo, with locations in the North End and Beacon Hill.
“I’m not banking on these dates until the numbers start to come down,” said Dello Russo. “If I see the numbers come down then I think they could do their best to pinpoint a date that we can start getting things up and running again, but I’m sure they’re going to have a lot of stipulations in place.”
He’s looking forward to what those stipulations might be once businesses can finally reopen, but right now he knows a barber shop like his can’t really practice social distancing.
“I don’t know what we could possibly do – there’s no way of doing it unless I have my barbers all dressed in hazmat suits,” said Dello Russo.
Boston restaurant owners are also eager to learn how the city will reopen – and when.
“I’m not worried, but you want some sort of idea of when this is going to happen,” said Frank Mendoza, who owns a deli and restaurant in Boston’s North End.
Mendoza and his brother have owned Monica’s Trattoria in the North End for 25 years.
“We’ve been through a lot you know, we’ve been through tough economies, 9/11, the marathon bombing, and this one’s the toughest,” said Mendoza.
As city and state leaders continue to extend closures, Mendoza wishes there was more clarity – as to how the city and its small businesses will be able to reopen – even if it’s gradual.
“Financially it’s a huge burden and mentally, I think mentally it’s worse than financially because you get the air sucked out of you,” said Mendoza, now going on more than a month with his restaurant closed down because of the coronavirus.
While some business owners are anxious to get back to work, others are trying to be patient – to allow for a safe and healthy recovery.
“I just think it’s a matter of time,” said Dello Russo. “We’re going to have to take it in stride and I think the comeback is going to be a lot stronger than the setback.”
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