Boston health officials: Stay safe, don’t let your guard down as weather warms up

BOSTON — The warm weather doesn’t have everyone jumping up and down. Boston health officials are concerned people will let their guard down especially around St. Patrick’s Day.

People we talked to in Southie told us they believe their pandemic experience will help keep them safe.

“We have come this far, just keep doing what we are supposed to do,” a woman told us.

Boston health officers are putting out the plea for people to stay safe as the winter weather turns Spring-like.

Boston Health & Human Services Chief Marty Martinez told us they love the nice weather like everyone else but he wished it was a little bit later and not so soon.

“You want to make sure things outside are better than inside but you also don’t want to promote any atmosphere where people stay longer than they should,” said Martinez.

The city is also thinking about the tourism season during this reprieve from winter. One goal they say is a marketing campaign promoting Boston as a vacation destination.

“We can’t have an economic recovery without a public health recovery. We need people to be able to be well and not get COVID and not place themselves or employees at risk,” said Martinez.

Mayor Marty Walsh told us they lost millions in revenues from tourism so it will be critical to promote this season as soon as it is safe to do so. They are also going to be working with small businesses in restaurants to help them promote themselves.

Walsh’s office should have an update on outdoor dining by the end of the week. There was a meeting on Tuesday discussing moving that up.

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