Boston, Cambridge restaurants tell patrons to mask up or vax up in lieu of mandates

A small but growing number of restaurant and bar owners around Boston, Cambridge and Provincetown are asking patrons to mask up or provide proof of vaccination as the delta variant rages and cases rise across the state.

At least two music venues — the Middle East in Cambridge’s Central Square and The Plough and Stars — are requiring concert-goers to provide proof of vaccination or they’ll be turned away at the door

“The safety and health of our music attendees — and our Cambridge community at-large — is a vital concern,” the Plough and Stars wrote last Monday on Facebook.

The Middle East followed suit the next day posting, “We will be following the numbers and information out there and hope this is not a long term policy, but for now, it feels like the right thing to do.”

It noted any unvaccinated people who purchased tickets to a show can request a refund.

Bars and nightclubs are being forced to wade into the complexities of public health policy in lieu of statewide mask mandates. But as businesses fight to stay open and the world learns to live with COVID-19, Massachusetts Restaurant Association President Bob Luz said it’s the best way.

“Individual businesses are free to make decisions on masking, proof of vaccination, etcetera. We do not believe a return to state government mandating these things when close to 75% of the population is vaccinated is necessary,” Luz said.

On Friday, Gov. Charlie Baker broke with updated federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that recommend people — including vaccinated people — wear masks in areas of “substantial or high transmission.”

In Massachusetts, Barnstable and Nantucket counties are currently considered areas of “high” community spread while Bristol, Hampden, Plymouth and Suffolk counties are considered areas with “substantial” spread, according to the CDC.

Baker declined to impose another statewide mask mandate, instead recommending vaccinated people with comorbidities and their household members mask up in high-risk areas.

State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, said he agrees with the governor’s approach. Cyr’s district has been reeling from a coronavirus cluster in Provincetown that has led to nearly 1,000 cases, but relatively few hospitalizations and zero deaths so far. About three-quarters of those infected were vaccinated, proving their efficacy, according to Cyr.

Cyr says the state should, however, institute a vaccine card program.

“These vaccine cards are so valuable and it makes a lot of sense to have a state program,” Cyr said, noting vaccines could remain voluntary. “It’s a tool that can make the lives of workers and businesses, especially in the hard-hit hospitality industry, easier.”

In Boston, popular drag bar Jacques Cabaret says customers must show proof of vaccination starting Aug. 6 or remain masked. In Cambridge, Grendel’s Den in Harvard Square is requiring proof of vaccination during peak hours for indoor diners. Pagu is also requiring vaccine verification for indoor dining.

At least four Provincetown establishments — The Art House, Governor Bradford, The Boatslip, The Crown and Anchor — are requiring some form of vaccine verification.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3fmHGyB