BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Although he didn't detail exactly how, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the city will enforce the statewide order for residents to wear face coverings, which goes into effect on Wednesday May 6th.
Gov. Baker signed the executive order last week, requiring everyone over the age of two to cover their face when in public and unable to socially distance during the pandemic. Failure to comply with the order can carry up to a $300 fine, but Baker said he would largely leave enforcement up to individual towns and cities.
During an appearance on CNN on Saturday, Mayor Walsh acknowledged "enforcing face masks when they should be doing other things is somewhat bothersome," but he said the city will be enforcing the Governor's order.
"I was hoping people would take the responsibility themselves," said Walsh. "Clearly there are too many cases and situations where that's not happening."
Responding to photos of crowds in New York's Central Park and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Walsh said "the wrong message" was being sent.
“I don't understand it... Whether it's Central Park or the Mall is the wrong message," Walsh told CNN. "We're still very much in the beginning days of coronavirus, even if you're a state that is seeing numbers go down."
Last week, Walsh told CNN's Chris Cuomo he was concerned about the possibility of a second resurgence of the virus in the Fall, if the city or the state rushed into reopening.
"If we're not smart about the way we do things," said Walsh, "those numbers could turn around and go right back up again."
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