Protesters gathered outside Gov. Charlie Baker’s house on Sunday carrying signs and waving flags in opposition to the latest round of business restrictions that went into effect on Saturday in attempts to slow the spread of coronavirus around the holidays.
“We the people are not going to tolerate these unconstitutional orders, mandates, and restrictions any longer,” organizers said in a statement, detailing their list of demands which includes reopening the state immediately and rescinding mask mandates.
The protest drew a small crowd in front of the governor’s Swampscott home one day after businesses were forced to tighten restrictions.
Restaurants, gyms, casinos, offices, churches, libraries, movie theaters, arcades, golf facilities, museums and most other businesses were ordered to cut capacity to 25% of their maximum beginning on Saturday. Baker said the latest rollback would last for “at least” two weeks until Jan. 9, but the governor said the relaxing of restrictions would depend on coronavirus statistics.
Officials fear another surge in cases following get-togethers and celebrations over Christmas and New Year’s could overwhelm the state’s already-strained health care system.
Ten months into the coronavirus pandemic, officials are trying to strike a balance between allowing hard-hit small businesses to operate and protecting the public heath.
“Just because the holidays are over, doesn’t mean you can’t continue supporting our local businesses,” Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said on Twitter.
The mayor offered a shoutout to Flour Bakery and Cafe, where he said he recently bought pastries.
“Thank you to all the small business owners and employees for keeping our city running,” Walsh said.
Baker last week called the temporary measures a “necessary” change as the state confronts an ongoing surge in cases and hospitalizations.
Roughly a quarter of Massachusetts restaurants have closed their doors for good, according to the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. A recent Harvard study estimates the state has lost 37% of all small businesses.
The Baker administration, in an attempt to soften the blow of continued and changing business restrictions, last week announced a $668 million small business relief fund that will target awards to the Bay State’s most-affected businesses.
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December 28, 2020 at 07:53AM
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Protesters gather outside Charlie Baker’s home in opposition of coronavirus business restrictions - Boston Herald
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