Gov. Charlie Baker has declared a statewide ban on all public gatherings of more than 250 people in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.
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Baker said the ban will apply to fundraisers, parades, concerts, faith-based events and any other large public event, but it does not apply to airports, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, libraries, offices and other places where people can generally maintain a safe distance from each other.
The order specifically applies -- but is not limited -- to "civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, festivals, and any similar event or activity that brings together 250 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theatre, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space."
"Everyone has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus, and by limiting large gatherings, we can further mitigate the spread of the disease,” Baker said.
The order is effective immediately and has no expiration date.
Earlier Friday, Baker joined Boston Mayor Marty Walsh in announcing that the April 20 Boston Marathon is being delayed until Sept. 14.
Baker said state health officials are not advising a widespread shutdown of public schools; instead, he said the appropriate path is to evaluate individual schools that may have a coronavirus case or other risk.
