Somerville Mayor Considering Ban On All Public Gatherings, Closure Of All Non-Essential Businesses

Arjun Singh is a producer for Boston Public Radio. A California native, Arjun moved to Boston to study international relations at Boston University. Prior to working at WGBH, Arjun worked at a tech company and for a political campaign.

March 16, 2020

Updated August 07, 2023

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone said he does not think Governor Charlie Baker’s order banning restaurants and bars from having dine-in service and public gatherings of 25 or more people through April 6 goes far enough. On Monday, Curtatone said he is considering mandating the closure of all non-essential businesses, including places of worship, and banning all public gatherings within the city.

“We should have no gatherings at this point,” Curtatone said during an interview with Boston Public Radio. “I’m considering further action — we’ll more than likely be taking. Closing all the gyms, health clubs, houses of worship, entertainment [and] theater venues—we have some in Somerville.”

Curtatone said he’s also advised elderly residents in Somerville, aged 60 and up, to self-isolate during the duration of the pandemic. Given the state of the pandemic, Curtatone said that he believes the nation has moved past the point of containing COVID-19, and bold measures need to be enacted.

“We should not be gathering at all,” Curtatone said. “We need to take bold steps right now. Again, I applaud all the actions we’ve taken as a commonwealth, that’s important. We now need to go even further.”