Omicron-fueled COVID surge threatens Boston businesses ahead of New Year’s

BOSTON — An Omicron-fueled COVID surge is threatening businesses across the Boston area as the state reports record-setting daily numbers.

The Massachusetts State Department of Public Health reported more than 10,000 cases in one day for the first time back on Friday.

The widespread impact of cases and exposure among staff members has prompted some restaurants and bars to temporarily close or adjust hours.

Harp & Bard in Dorchester announced to customers on Facebook that it plans to re-open for New Year’s Eve.

SRV in Boston’s South End announced on Tuesday that it plans to reopen Wednesday, December 29th.

Others remain concerned as cases continue to climb after Christmas gatherings.

“This one is going through the population like a hot knife through butter right now,” said Marty Bloom, co-owner of Burro Bar in the South End and Brookline.

Bloom told Boston 25 News he is hoping he won’t have to expectedly close or adjust hours.

He said so many restaurants are barely hanging on as it is with current staffing shortages.

“You keep throwing more wood on top of the pile, and we don’t have the staff to handle this stuff,” he explained.

There is some reassurance from leading health experts amid all of the breakthrough cases of COVID being reported nationwide.

“I think it is definitely the year we get this under control,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health. “We will get to a point where we will see new waves of infection, it will not have a big effect on hospitals, people will go on, people will not get really sick and die, and we will learn to live with this virus, and it will stop being so disruptive to our lives.”

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