An illustration of the new coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.
Massachusetts’ commercial real estate trade group is taking a major step in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the state and the nation.
“All NAIOP-MA in-person events will be rescheduled or held virtually until further notice,” an announcement from the group issued Wednesday said. “In addition, all NAIOP committee meetings in March and April will be held via conference call.”
The statement said the move was intended to “ensure member health and safety.”
“We will continue to assess the situation with the hope that events will be able to resume in May,” the statement added.
Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon in response to a rapid increase in Massachusetts’ cases of the coronavirus. About three-quarters of the state’s total cases – 70 of the 92 – have connections to the Biogen conference in Boston last month which has been linked to dozens of infection, and four were directly related to international travel.
Baker said the declaration would give his administration more “flexibility” to respond to the outbreak, including ordering the cancellation of large events or accessing buildings to store protective equipment for first responders.
Baker said he was advising older residents and those with underlying health issues to avoid large crowds, including concert venues, conferences and sporting events, though he said he was not prepared to ask schools or professional leagues to cancel their events.
“We think large gatherings are probably not a great idea,” Baker said.
Some of what the administration was recommending was already being adopted in the private sector.
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce announced within about 15 minutes of the governor’s press conference Tuesday that “effective immediately through Friday, May 1, 2020, in-person Chamber programs and events will be rescheduled, include a virtual option, or be only virtual.”
Material from the State House News Service was used in this report.
