Canceling summer events is 'public health decision,' says Walsh

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Friday announced that the city will not host any parades or festivals this summer, through at least Labor Day, because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

MY SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BEDISAPPOINTING.WE ARE PLANNING A HEALTHYREOPENING AND A RECOVERYPROCESS.AS SOON AS THE DATA TELLS US ITIS SAFE, WE DO NOT ENVISION WHENIT WILL MAKE SENSE TO HAVELARGE-SCALE CROWDS GATHEREDTOGETHER FOR PROLONGED PERIODSOF TIME.WE ARE GETTING GUIDANCE FROMPLACES THAT PLAN TO HOLD EVENTS.WE WANT TO GIVE EVERYONE AS MUCHLEAD TIME AND CLARITY.PARADES AND FESTIVALS WILL NOTTAKE PLACE THIS SUMMER IN BOSTONUP TO AND INCLUDING LABOR DAY.FOR SMALLER EVENTS, WE WILL LOOKAT THEM ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT THAT BRINGSCLOUDS TO GATHER, -- THAT BRINGSCROWDS TOGETHER, YOU SHOULDSTART LOOKING AT IT NOW.THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH DECISIONAND IT IS THE RIGHT DECISION.IT AFFECTS OUR EVENTS THAT WELOVE HAVING HERE IN THE CITY.I AM GOING TO MISS THEM AND OURCITY WILL MISS THEM.AT THE SAME TIME, I WE HAVE TOGET THROUGH THESE TIMES.THE BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAWILL NOT BE HOLDING THE LIVEPERFORMANCE FOR THE FIREWORKSSPECTACULAR ON JULY 4.IT WILL PRESENT A TELEVISIONONLINE BOSTON POPS SALUTE TO OURHEROES TO OUR HEROES AND T