BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Mayor Marty Walsh has declared a Heat Emergency in the City of Boston, in anticipation of the hot and humid weather forecasted through Tuesday across eastern Massachusetts.
Select Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers will be open to the public as cooling centers on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when the "real feel" temperature is expected to range between 96 and 100 degrees in Boston.
"Please take the necessary steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and from the heat and humidity that we expect over the weekend," said Mayor Walsh. "Continue to practice social distancing, avoid crowds, wash your hands often, and wear a face covering. If the face covering causes you to overheat, find a shaded area where you can maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and then remove the face covering so that you can breathe easily and cool down."
While Boston Public Libraries and City-operated pools remain closed to the public due to COVID-19, 20 BCYF community centers will be open for residents to use the air conditioned rooms to cool off, and tot-sprays are open at playgrounds in the city, with restrictions.
All cooling center visitors will be screened before entry and must wear a face covering over both the nose and mouth. Facilities are asking visitors to maintain 6 feet of distance from others, bring their own water bottles and water, and limit belongings to one small bag.
Occupancy will be monitored to ensure it doesn't exceed 40 percent of the building's maximum permitted occupancy.
Click here for a full list of cooling centers, including hours of operation.
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