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South Boston Bars, Restaurants Closed Sunday To Slow Coronavirus Spread

SOUTH BOSTON (CBS) – South Boston bars and restaurants will be closed Sunday as part of a voluntary agreement aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

State Senator Nick Collins, who represents South Boston, issued this statement Sunday morning:

"As we are in uncharted waters here and all need to heed the advice of public health professionals to help stop the spread of COVID19, South Boston bars and restaurants will be closed today as part of a voluntary agreement."

"Thank you to Mayor Walsh, my fellow South Boston elected officials and neighbors, the Licensing Board and license holders in South Boston for working with us and taking these sound proactive measures to protect the public's health. We are all in this together and it's imperative now that we all do all that we can to keep our communities safe."

The announcement came a day after several of the bars were crowded with customers, despite a plea from authorities to practice social distancing to stop the spread of the virus.

Sunday was supposed to be a huge day in South Boston with the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. But that was cancelled because of the widespread concerns about coronavirus.

Another popular St. Patrick's bar, the Black Rose near Faneuil Hall, announced it will be closed Sunday as well.

There are currently 164 coronavirus cases in Massachusetts, according to the Department of Public Health and 108 of them are linked to a Biogen conference in Boston in February.

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