Timeline
2020
February
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported by state officials on February 1. The individual, a male in his 20s, had recently returned from Wuhan, China and began experiencing symptoms. He sought medical care but did not require hospitalization, and was therefore able to self-isolate and recover at home. [1] [3]
175 executives of Biogen, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, held a two-day leadership conference from February 26–28 at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel. [9] On February 29, a Biogen executive began to develop symptoms and sought treatment at a Boston area hospital. Suspecting COVID-19 was the cause of the illness, the executive requested a test, but was told by hospital staff that it was not necessary. [9] [10] [11]
March
On March 4, staff from Biogen contacted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to report two executives who had attended the February employee meeting had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon returning home from Europe. The same day, a "significant number" of Biogen employees asked to be tested for the virus. [12] On March 5, Biogen reported that three individuals who had attended the company event in Boston the previous week had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. [13] [14]
On March 6, the Boston Public Health Commission announced three new presumptive cases of SARS-CoV-2. [3] Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency for the state of Massachusetts on March 10. [3] On March 13, the 2020 Boston Marathon was postponed to September 14, 2020. [3] Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the closure of all Boston schools from March 17 until April 27. [3]
On March 12, the Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel, which had hosted the Biogen company gathering, closed temporarily. In a letter to their guests, the hotel said it made the decision in cooperation with the Boston Public Health Commission. [15] On March 15, Mayor Walsh declared a public health emergency due to the concerns over COVID-19. Restaurants, bar rooms, and nightclubs were required to reduce their capacity by at least 50 percent. [3] Governor Charlie Baker limited gatherings to below 25 people. [3]
On March 15, Baker ordered all schools in Massachusetts to close for three weeks, from March 17 through April 7. The same day, he also banned eating at restaurants, banned gatherings of more than 25 people, and relaxed unemployment claim requirements. [16] On March 16, Mayor Walsh announced the closure of the Boston Public Library system. The MBTA also announced that service would be reduced starting March 17. Mayor Walsh also announced the closure of all construction sites starting March 17. [3] On March 18, the City of Boston closed all playgrounds. [3]
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that, starting March 17, it would run the subway and buses at Saturday levels of service during the week. [17] The next day, service was increased on the Blue Line, Green Line E branch, and some bus lines to reduce crowding. Frequency on Massport shuttles to Logan International Airport was reduced or canceled. [18]
On March 23, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an order for all employers that do not provide essential services to close their workspaces. The limit of gatherings was lowered to 10 people. Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a two-week stay-at-home advisory. [3] On March 25, Governor Baker extended the closure of schools to May 4. [3] On March 31, Governor Baker extended his non-essential business closure to May 4. [3] On March 31, the Boston Police Department confirmed that 19 officers and three civilian employees had all tested positive. [19]
April
On April 2, Mayor Walsh announced plans to convert the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) into a field hospital with 500 beds assigned to the homeless and 500 to accept COVID-19 patients from city hospitals. [20] On April 5, Mayor Walsh announced new regulations for social distancing in Boston. He encouraged everyone to wear a face covering when outside. The BPHC ordered for everyone except essential workers stay at home from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am every day, enforcing a curfew. [3]
On April 5, Boston City Hall was closed to the public except for Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Every individual entering City Hall, including employees, was required to complete a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms. [3] On April 9, MIT published a study of sewage samples taken in the Boston area on March 25, to determine the extent of COVID-19 infections. The study suggested that approximately 115,000 of the Boston region's 2.3 million people were infected. At the time of sampling, Boston had only 284 confirmed cases in the area. [21] [22]
On April 10, Boston reduced parking near the Arnold Arboretum. [23] On April 16, Mayor Walsh announced that a thousand residents will be invited to a Massachusetts study related to COVID-19 antibody testing. [3] On April 21, Governor Baker announced the closure of all K-12 schools in Massachusetts through the end of the school year. [3] On April 22, former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts announced that her oldest brother had died from COVID-19 in Oklahoma. [24]
On April 25, Governor Baker addressed the topic of when stay-at-home measures and closures of non-essential businesses would end. When restrictions were originally announced in mid-March, they were to end at noon on April 7; later their projected end date was pushed to May 4. Baker said it was unlikely restrictions would be lifted by then because the surge of cases had hit later than expected –May 4 presumed a surge in early April. Baker said the process of reopening will begin when hospitalizations start to decline consistently, and when there is "some evidence that we are in fact over the hump ... with respect to the surge." [25]
On April 27, Boston Public Health Commission extended the public health emergency declaration until further notice. [3] On April 28, Governor Baker extended the stay-at-home advisory and non-essential business closure to May 18. He also said that once the advisory expires, the process of reopening will begin in stages, and not happen all at once. [3] [26] On April 29, the Public Health Advisory enforcing a curfew in Boston was extended to May 18. [3]
May
On May 1, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker ordered all residents to wear a mask in public places when social distancing measures are not possible. This order goes into effect on May 6. [3] On May 6, the city of Boston launched a major expansion in the public testing of COVID-19 in Boston. [27] On May 8, Boston city officials announced that all parades and festivals were to be suspended to and on September 7. [28]
On May 13, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced his guidelines for reopening, starting May 18. He mentioned that the reopening will be in four phases. The first phase, will be very strict reopening, with just a few businesses opening again with social distancing and mask wearing regulations. The second phase will be cautious, with strict regulations remaining but more businesses reopening. The third phase will be a vigilant phase where most businesses open, but with very strict regulations. The fourth and final phase, as Baker stated, will be when a COVID-19 vaccine allows resumption of a new normal. [29]
On May 16, Mayor Walsh released results of antibody testing among Boston residents. He stated that antibodies were present in 9.9% of the 750 residents tested. 2.6% of the residents were asymptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19. Mayor Walsh stated that most residents of Boston have not been yet exposed to the virus. [30]
On May 18, Governor Baker released the details of the plan to reopen businesses in Massachusetts, and renamed the stay-at-home advisory to a "safer at home" advisory. The plan allows places of worship, essential businesses, manufacturing businesses, and construction sites to reopen with strict restrictions on May 18. Baker also announced that people who choose to ride the MBTA will be required to wear masks. [31]
On May 26, all construction was to be allowed in Boston, with social distancing and mask wearing. [3] On May 26, Governor Baker announced that the Boston Hope field hospital would no longer be accepting new patients. [32] On May 28, the Boston Marathon was cancelled for the first time in 124 years. Instead, the marathon was to be held as a virtual event. [33]
On May 28, Mayor Walsh announced a new "healthy streets" program to promote social distancing in the roads of Boston. The buses and MBTA trains would not accept as many passengers. Bike lanes would be built fast, to allow social distancing for bikes. [34] On May 29, the City of Boston released a "return to workplace framework" to safely reopen workplaces. Social distancing of 6 feet was to be enforced in all workplaces. Workplaces were to reduce capacity, ensure access to handwashing facilities, and clean and disinfect frequently. [35]
June
Massachusetts Governor Baker announced on June 6 that Phase 2 of his reopening plan was to begin on June 8. This was to allow childcare, day camps, lodging retail stores, and outdoor seating at restaurants to reopen with restrictions. [36] On June 8, the Public Health Advisory enforcing a curfew in Boston from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am was lifted. [37] This came with the start of Phase 2 of the state's reopening plan. [8]
On June 9, Mayor Walsh and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center set up a new pop-up testing site in Roxbury. This is as a result of the recent protests in and around Boston over the murder of George Floyd. [38] On June 11, the Cambridge-based biotech company Moderna announced they had developed a COVID-19 vaccine ready to be tested in a large scale. Moderna had 30,000 volunteers ready to test the vaccine in July, to see its effects. [39]
On June 11, Massachusetts announced a study with 150 volunteers to test if COVID-19 survivor plasma can prevent COVID-19. Thousands of COVID-19 patients worldwide have been treated with convalescent plasma already. [40] On June 12, Boston Public Library announced the launch of their "BPL to Go" program on June 22. This program allowed patrons to "order" library items by placing a hold on the item, and then safely picking up the item from a branch library. [41]
On June 15, Boston reopened all city playgrounds for the first time in three months. As the city was reopening, Mayor Walsh stated that playgrounds should reopen, although with strict restrictions in place. [42] On June 17, the state of Massachusetts urged everyone who participated in the George Floyd protests in Massachusetts to get tested for COVID-19. The state had set up over 50 pop-up free testing sites specifically for these protesters. These testing sites were to be open only on June 17 and June 18. [43]
On June 19, Massachusetts Governor Baker announced that Step 2 of Phase 2 of reopening in Massachusetts was to begin on June 22. This change came as Governor Baker stated that the trends of COVID-19 statewide have been positive. This will allow indoor dining, nail salons, and tanning salons to begin opening. Also, workplaces in Boston, which were previously required to reduce capacity to 25%, were now allowed to increase capacity to 50% of their original capacity before the pandemic. [44]
On June 23, Governor Baker announced the test results of those who has participated in Black Lives Matter protests. He announced that only 2.5% of the protesters who tested were positive, and Governor Baker stated that he was very pleased with these results. [45]
On June 30, Governor Baker stated that Massachusetts may begin Phase 3 of reopening as early as July 6. Although he was still looking at the data, he announced his plan for Phase 3 of reopening in the state. Phase 3 was to allow museums, fitness centers, moderate-size movie theaters, overnight youth camps, sports for all ages, and indoor recreational facilities to open with social distancing and mask wearing restrictions remaining in place. [46]
July
On July 1, a new COVID-19 testing site opened in North End of Boston. NEW Health, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Medical Center, offered a new testing site on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. [47]
On July 2, Massachusetts announced that Step 1 of Phase 3 of reopening in Massachusetts was to begin on July 6, in all of Massachusetts except Boston. Boston was to enter Step 1 of Phase 3 one week later, on July 13. This was to allow indoor gatherings of up to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people. Movie theaters, museums, and sports were allowed to resume. However, social distancing restrictions were to remain in place, with 40% capacity limits on movie theaters and gyms. Masks were also to remain mandatory in all public places. [48]
On July 7, Mayor Walsh stated in a press conference that Boston may be the first city to truly recover from COVID-19. He stated if the residents continue to follow COVID-19 precautions, Boston could recover from COVID-19 within just a few months. [49] On July 13, the City of Boston included the casino Encore Boston Harbor in the list of businesses that could open in Phase 3. However, customers were to be required to wear masks, have temperature screening at entry, and practice social distancing [50]
On July 16, Mayor Walsh urged all Boston residents to get tested for COVID-19. Boston Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez stated anyone who has not been practicing social distancing or wearing a face mask should be tested. [51] On July 21, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's Board of Directors voted to delay the start of the fall sports season until September 14. This decision was made in compliance with state guidelines for K-12 sports in the state. [52] On July 21, Mayor Walsh announced another free pop-up testing site had opened in Allston. The City of Boston partnered with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to make this testing site available. [53]
On July 24, Massachusetts Governor Baker announced a new travel restriction for the state, which was to go into effect on August 1. All individuals coming into Massachusetts from another state was required to fill out a "Massachusetts Travel Form" and quarantine at home for 14 days. The originally exempt states were Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York. For a state to be exempt, the seven-day average of daily cases was required to be less than six per 100,000, and the positive test rate was required to be less than five percent. This order was to be punishable by a $500 fine for each day a traveler was not following the order. [54]
August
On August 1, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston Public Schools would not return to 100% in-person learning even if in-class learning would resume in the fall. He stated that students would participate in a hybrid of in-school and remote learning. He also gave parents the option to have their children participate in 100% remote learning. [55]
On August 7, Massachusetts Governor Baker took steps to slow reopening in the state. He reduced the limit on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people, which would apply in both public and private property. He also said restaurant guidelines would be updated so that alcoholic beverages were not served. Baker said he was creating a COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team for enforcement in high-risk communities. The state was to postpone Step 2 of Phase 3 of reopening indefinitely. [56]
On August 18, Mayor Walsh stated in a press conference that encouraging trends in COVID-19 in Boston had resumed, but urged residents to remain vigilant. "The uptick that we saw in the second half of July has leveled off," Mayor Walsh stated during his coronavirus briefing. He said that the weekly positive test rate for the week ending August 10 was 2.6%, down from 2.8% the previous week. [57]
On August 19, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that all children aged six months and older would need to receive a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020, in order to attend childcare, K–12 schools, and colleges and universities in the state. There is an allowance for medical or religious exemptions, and homeschooled K–12 students or higher education students who are not going on campus will not be required to receive the vaccination. [58]
On August 21, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston Public Schools would begin the school year 100% remotely before transitioning into a hybrid model. "On September 21st — one month from today — all students will begin with remote learning," he said. "The first students will not return to our classrooms until October 1st." The BPS superintendent and Mayor Walsh formed a 4-phase return to a hybrid model. [59]
September
On September 10, Governor Baker said he "couldn't imagine a reason" to not go back to in-person or hybrid learning in the state's green and white communities in terms of spread in COVID-19. However, he has been encouraging communities in the yellow and red zones to stick with remote learning. [60]
On September 11, testing for COVID-19 at Orig3n, a Boston lab, was suspended after 383 false positives were recorded. In response, MDPH and BPHC gave the lab until September 14 to write a plan of correction in order to resume testing. [61]
By mid-September, Boston College began seeing a significant spike in COVID-19 cases. About a dozen cases in August had turned into an outbreak in the swimming teams at the college. Mayor Walsh said this outbreak is a "serious matter" and that he had been communicating with state officials. [62]
On September 15, Massachusetts Governor Baker announced a plan to "re-engage" colleges on testing, contact tracing, in response to the Boston College outbreak. He said his administration was reviewing all the protocols for testing, tracing, quarantine, and isolation in colleges across the state. Mayor Walsh also said he will meet with college leaders on September 16 to address the issue to them. [63]
On September 29, Governor Baker announced that communities in the state classified by the state as "lower risk" would be allowed to move into Step 2 of Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan beginning on October 5. [64] At the time, Boston had been considered a "red zone" community, meaning they were to remain at Step 1 of Phase 3 of reopening. [65]
October
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced on October 2 that they would begin providing weekly reports on the number of COVID-19 cases detected in schools. In the first report, covering the period from September 24 to September 30, 63 cases were found among students and 34 among staff. [66]
On October 7, Boston delayed the next phase of in-person learning in Boston Public Schools, in response to an uptick in cases. The positive test rate in the city had increased to 4.1%, prompting city officials to put a pause on moving forward with in-person learning. High-needs students were to continue in-person learning. Both Boston officials and the Boston Teachers Union agreed with this decision. [67]
On October 15, 2020, Boston Mayor Walsh announced new COVID-19 enforcement measures in the city amidst a spike in cases. He said that too many violations of COVID-19 restrictions and safety rules have led him to this decision. He mentioned a plan to tighten gathering limits, restrictions on public events, and activities in parks. Walsh stated he was considering fines for violations of these new safety rules. On Wednesday, he partnered with Whittier Street Health Center to open a second mobile testing facility in Nubian Square. [68]
On October 16, Massachusetts state officials loosened travel restrictions amid an uptick in cases. The state changed the threshold for being a lower-risk state to 10 cases per 100,000 people, in a seven-day rolling average. States below that, and a 5% test rate on a 7-day moving average, were to be exempt from the travel order laid out in July. State officials said this would put Massachusetts on standard with other states' COVID-19 travel restrictions. [69]
On October 16, Boston further delayed Phase 3 of in-person learning to October 29. Mayor Walsh decided to further delay in-person learning to October 29, after an initial delay one week ago. This was done in response to the city's positive test rate further increasing to 4.4% in the preceding week. [70]
2021
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2022
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2023
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