Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Aug. 26.
COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
August 26 update
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
While Town Hall and municipal buildings are physically closed to the public, we are open for business. Many transactions can be completed online, and we are available via phone and email to assist during regular business hours. A full town directory can be found here. A box at the front door of Town Hall may be used to drop off correspondence, applications, etc., and they may also be mailed or emailed. As we work on plans to reopen Town Hall and other municipal buildings, we are prioritizing efforts to keep the community safe and help our local businesses reopen.
As of Aug. 25, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 141 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; four of those cases are active, with 123 recoveries and 13 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report — NEW UPDATE
The weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report includes enhanced, more granular information to be updated on a weekly or biweekly basis, including town-by-town case and testing information, cases and deaths in long-term care facilities, updates on nursing facility audit results and more. mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-august-26-2020/download
MassSupport’s ‘Back-to-School’ Town Hall — NEW UPDATE
Sponsored by MassSupport, this webinar will take place on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. Promoting the Mental Health of K-12 Children During COVID-19 — A Webinar for Parents/Guardians and School Personnel. Guest speakers Nicole Christian-Brathwaite, M.D., and Robert Macy, Ph.D., will present information on coping skills and mindfulness, the effects of stress and trauma on children’s brains, regressed behavior, and grief and loss associated with COVID-19. Registration is required. Click here for more info and/or to register: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qW71iljaSki_-fTZSqgzTw
Annual Town Meeting
At their meeting last Tuesday (Aug. 18), the Hopkinton Select Board voted to reschedule Annual Town Meeting to Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9:30 a.m. Seating will be spaced at a distance to support social distancing. Municipal legislative meetings are exempt from the governor’s gathering rule. More details will be forthcoming.
Town Hall Reopening Plan
On Monday, Aug. 10, Town Hall reopened to the public by appointment only. This is due to the state’s COVID-19 limits on building occupancy. Click here for more information.
Primary Election Voting info — REMINDER
The new election law passed by the General Court and signed by the governor has significantly expanded early voting, by-mail and in-person. Due to occupancy issues at Hopkinton Town Hall, the Board of Registrars voted on Aug. 4 to move early voting in person for the primary to the Hopkinton Senior Center at 28 Mayhew St. Voters will not use the main entrance and will enter through the library door and will exit through the side door once they have voted. Mask wearing as well as social distancing will be required.
The hours at the Senior Center will be as follows:
● Saturday (Aug. 22) and Sunday (Aug. 23) — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
● Monday (Aug. 24), Wednesday (Aug. 26) and Thursday (Aug. 27) — 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
● Tuesday (Aug. 25) — 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
● Friday (Aug. 28) — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This will serve as an addition to mail-in early voting and in person voting at the polls on the day of the primary to better spread out voting and limit potential exposure.
Hopkinton Youth and Family Services
Youth and Family Services is here for you and can be reached by phone at 508-497-9781. Additionally, you can find more info from the Y&FS Basic Needs Resource Sheet for COVID19 or the Y&FS Facebook page: facebook.com/hopkintonyouthandfamilyservices.
Hopkinton Senior Center
The Senior Center, with a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation, has begun a limited take-out lunch program (Tuesday-Friday) for Hopkinton seniors, particularly those who are homebound and/or have relied on the center for their daily main meal in the past. While we have limited quantities, if you know of a senior who might benefit from this program please call the Senior Center at 508-497-9730. Cost is $2 per meal.
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Hopkinton also posts frequently on social media. Our Twitter is the best place to keep up with all happenings Hopkinton. You don’t need an account to see our twitter feed: https://twitter.com/HopkintonMA
Complete list of Emergency Orders and Guidance from Mass.gov
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency
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