Boston and Massachusetts officials have issued a cease-and-desist order to a ferry company after a photo of what appeared to be a crowded Boston Harbor ship over the weekend drew some outrage on social media.
The Boston Public Health Commission, together with the state's Department of Labor Standards, issued the order Monday evening, saying the event depicted in the photo is not allowed in the current phase of the state's economic reopening.
The image, taken by nonprofit consultant and former Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts CEO Marty Walz, showed the vessel Provincetown II preparing to depart for a 2 1/2-hour cruise Saturday night. Most guests were on the open-air top deck.
Bay State Cruise Company, which operates the vessel, said all proper guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus were followed.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the gathering in the photo "represents a serious threat to public health."
"We've made great sacrifices and worked hard over the last few months to stop the very real and very dangerous spread of COVID-19, and it's vital every person and every business take this public health emergency seriously, and do their part to keep their families, neighbors and communities safe," Walsh said in a statement released Monday.
The vessel sailed at 33% capacity, within the company's COVID-19 operating limits of 44% capacity, Michael Glasfield, a manager with the company, said in an email to WBTS-TV. That allowed for 28 square feet per passenger, enough room for 6 feet of social distancing, he said.
In the cease-and-desist order, however, the state listed several operations that are not allowed during the current "phase three, step one" of the economic reopening.
"Prohibited activities include: Summer Music Cruise; and Group Charters with dancing. Bars, dance clubs and nightclubs – venues offering entertainment, beverages, or dancing and not providing seated food service prepared on-site and under retail food permits [are] not eligible to reopen until Phase IV," the order reads.
Material from The Associated press was used in this report
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July 28, 2020 at 06:50AM
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Cruise Company Slapped With Cease-And-Desist Order Over Photo Of Crowd - WBUR
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