Mayor Martin J. Walsh on Wednesday, March 25 issued a temporary Executive Order allowing plastic bag use in Boston for certain businesses during the public health emergency of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Under the Executive Order, the City of Boston has granted temporary exemptions to Boston’s plastic bag ordinance, which had restricted plastic bag use. This measure will protect residents as they shop for essential needs.
This temporary exemption will apply to all retail establishments that qualify as “Essential Businesses” under the Governor Baker’s Emergency Order announced March 23. Essential businesses will be allowed to use plastic bags, and will be exempt from the requirement that they charge customers a fee for checkout bags.