Salem To Keep Strict Coronavirus Restrictions Through Halloween

SALEM, MA — The Salem Board of Health has delayed some eased statewide restaurant restrictions and increases in public gatherings until at least Nov. 5 as the city looks to avert a surge in coronavirus cases amid an expected influx of visitors during Halloween month.

"It's clear people are coming," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said in announcing Tuesday night's decision to Salem business leaders Wednesday morning. "Hotels are booked. People are making reservations. We don't need anymore people coming on Halloween than we already have."

Gov. Charlie Baker announced several eased restrictions for communities with low coronavirus transmission — which Salem has become after being designed a red "hot spot" in August — but increases of restaurant table group sizes to 10 people, and increases in outdoor gatherings to 50, will not be happening in Salem.

"The Board felt very strongly that going to 10 is another way we can see an increase in cases," Salem Health Board Agent David Greenbaum said. "Especially going into October, when we see an increase of crowds and increase of activity in the city, we think that adding more opportunities to gather indoors is not necessarily a good idea at this time."

Restaurants will be allowed to have "bar seating" under the state's rules easement, but those at the bar must be seated, order food and must be at least 6 feet from those working being the bar if a 30-inch partition is not in place.

"It's not going to be a dance floor, or open for people to watch the game," Greenbaum said. "They can watch the game from their seats."

Greenbaum said the opportunity to move into step two of phase 3 will be reevaluated in November.

"The goal is to maintain not only the long-term public health, but long-term economic health," said Greenbaum, adding that the delay is until "at least Nov. 5."

Salem is also banning buskers and street performers in their typical areas this month — there is hope to create a separate artist area where people can walk by — with the overall goal of managing crowds and keeping people moving as much as possible.

Salem police have authorization throughout the month to shut down any busy streets or the pedestrian mall if they are deemed too packed to maintain social distancing.

"If we have people in just gluts and congested areas," Driscoll said, "that's what we are trying to avoid."

The crowd limit for outdoor music performances will remain at 25, including the performers, instead of increasing to 50 as it will in most of the state on Monday. Indoor music performances are still off limits.

The Salem Board of Health also passed a directive stating that all hotels, motels and other lodging areas make visitors staying overnight to fill out a city-issued questionnaire for contact tracing purposes and to attest to getting a negative test for coronavirus if they come from an area that is on the state's travel restriction list. Driscoll said the hope originally this summer was to limit travel into the city to those within a 50-mile radius, but that visitors already through September have been arriving from all over New England, New York and New Jersey.

The mayor noted the holiday falling on a Saturday, the full moon and having that day be the end of daylight-savings time as all things could draw additional crowds to a city that wants those crowds kept to a minimum this year amid the pandemic.

"Halloween is really two days for us," Salem Acting Police Chief Dennis King said of an expected Friday night influx of tourists on Halloween Eve. "Then Halloween is an all-day event. If we have tens of thousands of people coming into the city that is something we physically can't handle this year (and maintain social distancing).

"It's not going to look the same."

Those arriving via train will soon see signs as far away as North Station that masks are required in public in all tourist areas of downtown, and that the mask order will be strictly enforced for all those 2 years old or older, and who are not eating or drinking. The Board of Health expanded the mask zone to include Derby Street on Tuesday night.

"The whimsy is gone," said Kate Fox, of Destination Salem, of the tone of the signs. "It's time to get serious."

Salem businesses, such as restaurants, museum and walking tours, are urged to require reservations to the extent possible and to discourage walk-in business. Lines outside retailers or restaurants on public ways will be limited to five groups distanced at least 6 feet apart.

Walking tour limits remain 10 of early this week, but Greenbaum said the state is expected to provide additional clarification of that later this week, which may allow an easing of that restriction.

All businesses are asked to maintain a log of visitors for contact tracing. Greenbaum allowed that businesses found to have been frequented by someone who later tests positive for coronavirus may be asked to close down for 24 hours for cleaning and have employees tested.

Front-line workers, including those in the service industry, are urged to get regular, free coronavirus tests throughout the month with tests offered six days a week at Salem High School and other pop-up locations throughout the city through Fallon Ambulance.

Public restrooms will be back in the city — only in fewer numbers. There will be 23 stationed through the downtown at the start of the month, which will be cleaned or sanitized daily —including twice on Saturday.

"This is a really crucial time for us," Driscoll reasoned of all the restrictions. "We don't want to see a spike."

More Patch Salem Halloween Coverage:

Salem Board Of Health Could Halt Eased Restaurant Restrictions

Salem's Halloween Balance: Support Business, Keep Down Crowds

State Says Most Communities Can Move Ahead With Further Reopening

Salem To Issue Temporary Residential Parking Permits