City Manager confer with the Metro Mayor’s Association to close indoor dining, gyms, casinos and other non-essential indoor activities as soon as possible and That the City Manager, Community Development Department, the Economic Development Division, the Assessing Department and other relevant City Departments organize a small business and restaurant relief program that will assist during this second shutdown and our efforts to stop community spread of COVID-19 and keep schools open

CAL-3 O-10

Citywide, Cambridge businesses, the Cambridge Public Health Department and Cambridge Public Schools have implemented protective measures and strategies to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 throughout the community; and

Though these protective measures have kept Cambridge COVID-19 positivity rates lower than neighboring cities, Cambridge’s positive cases do continue to increase daily; and

Epidemiologists recommend targeted interventions to stop the spread of COVID-19 to keep schools open; and

Epidemiologists recommend closing bars, casinos and gyms, and other non-essential business activities to stop the spread of COVID-19 as a way to keep schools open; and

Research suggests a strong correlation between indoor activities and the rise of COVID-19 community spread; and

Indoor activities are contributing to the rise in cases in Cambridge, getting our metrics dangerously close to closing schools and resuming remote only learning again; and

We must take action to stop the spread of COVID-19 in order to keep our schools open and prioritize our scholars and their educations as we navigate through the next phase of the public health crisis; and

Our efforts must be part of a regional response in order to not unfairly penalize Cambridge restaurants and small businesses; now therefore be it

That the City Manager confer with the Metro Mayors’ Association to temporarily

restrict high risk indoor activities, such as indoor dining and gyms, and be it further

That the City Manager, Community Development Department, the Economic

Development Division, the Assessing Department and other relevant City Departments

organize a relief program to assist and financially support businesses affected by these temporary closures.

That the City Manager and all relative Departments, begin meeting immediately with the business community and the Covid-19 Expert Advisory Panel to discuss what interventions can be universally implemented to make indoor business activities safer.

In City Council November 23, 2020. Order Adopted as Amended by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 7; Nays 1; Absent 1. Attest:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk

A true copy;

ATTEST:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk

History: 11/16/20

City Council

CHARTER RIGHT

Next: 11/23/20