Walsh Urges Restaurants, Patrons To Keep Valentine's Day Safe

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh implored residents to keep their guard up even over Valentine's Day weekend, when many couples may go to restaurants.

"If you go out to dinner we ask that you take extra precaution because a lot of people want to go out on Valentine's Day," Walsh said to reporters Wednesday afternoon.

Valentine's Day is Sunday and Presidents Day' is Monday, making a long weekend for people who may want to get into restaurants as Boston's coronavirus numbers continue to decline. Walsh said he wants to see people support their local restaurants, but to do so responsibly.

He's also asking restaurants to stay responsible. Walsh said about 2,500 complaints have come in about coronavirus-related issues at restaurants, even giving an example from Friday when a verified complaint led to a place having its license suspended.

Health and Human Services Secretary Marty Martinez declined to identify the restaurant but said some restaurants have indeed been closed and faced restrictions due to COVID-19 violations.

Capacity limits for restaurants were raised Monday from 20 to 40 percent, allowing for more patrons.

"It's important to note with those capacity limits that we have in place, we have inspectors going out, we are focused on enforcement," Martinez said.