Mayor Wu to hold outdoor swearing-in ceremony for City Councilors

Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston will hold an outdoor swearing-in ceremony on January 3rd to formally inaugurate new and returning City Councilors. The event will take place at 10 a.m. on January 3 in the City Hall Courtyard, and will also be streamed live on the City’s website. 

Previously the event was slated to take place indoors, but it has been moved outside in the midst of a winter COVID-19 surge driven by the Omicron variant. Guests will be limited to close family and friends of City Councilors. A previously planned evening inaugural celebration has been postponed until spring.

“As we welcome in a dynamic and history-making new generation of leaders to city government, we’re putting public health at the forefront and coming together safely. In consultation with Dr. Ojikutu and the Boston City Council, we will be hosting the swearing-in ceremony with a scaled back program outdoors to celebrate our new and returning Councilors while protecting our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.

“As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to surge with the highly transmissible Omicron variant, we must take additional precautions to prevent its spread and protect vulnerable neighbors. The decision to hold the City Council swearing-in ceremony outside at City Hall is one that is based on science and guidance from our public health officials, and what they deem to be in the best interest of keeping our communities safe and healthy so that we do not overwhelm our healthcare system during this wave,” said Council President Ed Flynn.

“I’m grateful to Mayor Wu for prioritizing health and safety in her decision to move January’s swearing-in ceremony outdoors. Hospitalizations and COVID-19 positivity are surging and coupled with the omicron variant’s high transmissibility, we must use every precaution–including limiting large indoor gatherings—in addition to vaccines, boosters, masking and staying home when ill,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Executive Director of BPHC. 

Boston’s swearing-in for newly elected City officials is required by City Charter to take place on the first Monday in January. At-large Councilors are comprised of sitting Councilors Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia, along with new Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Erin Murphy. Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9 will be represented by sitting Councilors Lydia Edwards, Ed Flynn, Frank Baker, Ricardo Arroyo, Kenzie Bok, and Liz Breadon, respectively. Brian Worrell is a new Councilor who will represent District 4, Kendra Hicks is a new Councilor who will represent District 6, and Tania Fernandes Anderson is a new Councilor who will represent District 7. 

Media Guidelines

• WCVB will be the pool camera for the ceremony. Television reporters (without photogs), print reporters and still photographers, and radio reporters are invited to attend.
• Following the ceremony, Mayor Wu will hold a media avail to the side of the stage outdoors. All reporters and cameras are welcome.
• Members of the press are asked to RSVP online.
• Like all attendees, press attending must wear face coverings and show proof of vaccination.