Boston will join state in ending 9:30 p.m. curfew for restaurants, stores

Mayor Walsh said today the city will eliminate its 9:30 p.m. curfew on "public facing" businesses on Monday. However, Walsh said other extra restrictions enacted as numbers rose late last year will remain in effect until at least next week, when city officials meet to reevaluate Covid-19 numbers.

"The last thing we want to do is re-open too quickly," because then things might have to be shut again, Walsh said, in what could be one of his last Boston Covid-19 updates before he leaves for Washington. Other restrictions include the shutdown of facilities such as health clubs and the aquarium and a reduction in the number of people allowed to gather in one spot to 10 inside and 25 outside.

Walsh said that as of Jan. 14, Covid-19 positivity rates have gone down in almost every Boston neighborhood - and that the citywide rate of 7.5% is down from 8.7% the week before.

But, he said, 99% of non-surgical ICU beds in Boston hospitals are now full. Hospitals have the space and resources to add additional beds, but the city continues to monitor the numbers, he said. City Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez says Covid-19 census at Boston hospitals actually down, from 450 or so a couple weeks ago to 380 now. But beds are filling with non-Covid patients as well, he said.

Wash your hands, wear a mask, socially distance and get a shot when you can, Walsh said.