Boston Advances to Phase 3 Step 2 With Limits on Venues, Gatherings

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston Mayor Walsh moves city into Phase 3, Step 2 reopening while holding back on venues and large gatherings. Mayor Martin Walsh announced Monday that Boston is allowing up to 50 percent indoor capacity at gyms, museums, offices, movie theaters, and retail stores effective March 1, while delaying live music, indoor performance venues, and high-contact recreation such as roller skating until at least March 22. Restaurants may now seat without a capacity ceiling but must maintain six-foot table spacing, a six-person party limit, and a 90-minute seating cap. Boston Public Health Commission Chief of Health Equity Marty Martinez reported that more than 96,000 Bostonians had received a first COVID-19 dose as of February 23, roughly 16.5 percent of eligible residents, with 42 percent of doses going to people of color. Walsh warned that St. Patrick's Day gatherings risk becoming "super spreader events" and said enforcement will be active at restaurants, where lines outside remain prohibited and alcohol without food service is not permitted. Boston Public Schools welcomed pre-kindergarten through third-grade students back to in-person learning Monday, with grades four through eight eligible March 15 and all remaining students March 29. The city's outdoor dining program returns April 1 with fees waived; more than 370 applications have been submitted since December and 150 already approved.