Mayor Brian Arrigo has been at the forefront of city officials statewide institutÂing guidelines to promote the health and public safeÂty of residents during the COVID-19 crisis.
For example, Arrigo diÂrected the Board of Health to issue an order to limit the number of customers in stores based on square footage, with grocery stores such as the busy Market Basket location on Squire Road, being limited to 140 customers in the store at any one time.
The edict is being folÂlowed at the store. As one customer leaves the store, another is allowed to enter the store.
“The city is pleased with the partnership and cooperÂation with the policy,†said Arrigo.
It seemed, or so it apÂpeared to customers, that following Arrigo’s decision to direct the order, other stores, big and small, reÂgional and national, were soon following suit or siÂmultaneously enacting simÂilar policies.
Arrigo also was ahead with his announcements on the now-famous bullhorn encouraging visitors to ReÂvere Beach to practice soÂcial distancing. Gov. CharÂlie Baker has since ordered the closure of all DCR parking areas at beaches.
Restaurants on the Beach, including Kelly’s Roast Beef and Renzo’s, voluntarily agreed with the Mayor’s suggestion that walkup service be curtailed at the busy restaurants beÂcause customers had been waiting outside in long lines and many had not been practicing the social distancing (6 feet away from the person ahead or behind you in line) proceÂdures.
And the Mayor’s virtuÂal town hall with Board of Health Chair Dr. Nathalee Kong is believed to have been the first such conferÂence conducted by a mayor in the region.