Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Dec. 31.
COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
Dec. 31 update
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
Hopkinton Town Hall reopened to the public as of Aug. 10. Appointments are required due to the state’s COVID-19 limits on building occupancy: Click here for more information. All town departments are open for business and many transactions can be completed online. 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 of Dec. 30, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 405 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 67 of those cases are active, with 321 recoveries and 17 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard, which is updated frequently. Hopkinton has continued to experience an uptick in cases over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, this is a similar trend across Massachusetts, the Northeast, and in general across the United States. Please remember to practice social distancing, wear a face covering, wash your hands often, and be safe.
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-december-31-2020/download
2021 Boston Marathon — NEW UPDATE
Per the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), the 2021 Boston Marathon will not be held in April and will be postponed until at least the fall of 2021. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, the BAA will not be able to confirm a fall Boston Marathon date until early 2021. The BAA will continue to meet with its COVID-19 Medical & Event Operations Advisory Group and work with city and state officials, sponsors, organizing committee members, and other stakeholders in preparation for a safe return to in-person racing in the fall. More information can be found on the BAA’s website here.
December Holiday Guidance — REMINDER
Massachusetts residents are advised to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during holiday activities. Click here for more information.
Holidays — REMINDER
Hopkinton Town Hall and municipal buildings will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1.
Temporary Capacity and Gathering Limits Announced Dec. 22
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 26, Massachusetts implemented temporary capacity limits to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise. Click here for more information.
Hopkinton Youth and Family Services
INTERFACE Referral Service will be closed for the winter holidays from Wednesday, Dec. 23, through Friday, Jan. 1. The service will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4, and will be accessible at 888-244-6843. Service will resume to help Hopkinton residents secure outpatient behavioral health services based on insurance, specialty, presenting need and location.
Help with finding behavioral health referrals may also be found at The MetroWest Referral Line or by calling 844-528-6800.
COVID-19 Vaccine in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is preparing for the safe, equitable, and effective delivery of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to learn about the approach and when you can expect to get vaccinated.
Vaccine plan: mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-covid-19-vaccine-information
Vaccine FAQs: mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions
Statewide Rollback to Phase 3, Step 1, Additional Restrictions Effective Dec. 13
Effective Dec. 13, all communities will roll back to Phase 3, Step 1 of Massachusetts’ re-opening plan, including the following restrictions:
● Outdoor gatherings at event venues will be limited to no more than 50 people.
● Hosts of outdoor gatherings of greater than 25 people will be required to provide advance notice of the gathering their local board of health.
● Indoor theaters and performance venues and higher contact indoor recreation businesses will be required to close to the public.
● Outdoor theaters and performance venues will be limited to 25% capacity, and no more than 50 people.
You can read the full Press Release from Mass.gov by clicking here.
Click here to read the full order rolling Massachusetts back to Phase 3, Step 1.
New Testing Infrastructure to Increase Testing Capacity and Efficiency Statewide
Visit mass.gov/gettested for more information and to find a testing site near you. To learn more about the recently expanded testing sites and capabilities in Massachusetts, click here.
The library will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1. We are happy to announce that we will be expanding our hours in the new year. In order to provide more convenient access to the library, we will be adding some early evening curbside pickup hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Browsing hours on Wednesdays will shift to the morning and will be from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (the library will no longer be open for browsing on Wednesday afternoons).
New hours beginning January 4 will be:
Curbside pickup: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M/W/F, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tu/Th
Walk-in (browsing the stacks/checking out only): 1-4 p.m. M/Tu/Th/F, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. W
Depending on the COVID situation in town and regionally, we also hope to be able to expand walk-in hours in early 2021; please watch for more information in January if case numbers decline. Be sure to check our website and social media for updates on these changes.
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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