Hopkinton COVID-19 update for June 17

by Hopkinton Independent | Jun 17, 2020 | News

Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for June 17.

COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
June 17 update

Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
https://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 June 17, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 120 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; one of those cases is active, with 106 recoveries and 13 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard.

Annual Town Meeting — NEW UPDATE
At their scheduled meeting Tuesday night (June 16) the Hopkinton Select Board set the date of Annual Town Meeting to be held on Sept. 21, 2020.

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: https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-june-17-2020/download

Library Summer Reading Program
Yes, summer reading is happening — and it started today, June 17! The library is planning online versions of our traditional programming for kids, teens and adults. Create an online account and earn points toward prizes for reading and other fun activities.

Find information about the children’s summer reading program here.
Find information about the teen summer reading program here.
Stay tuned for information about the adult summer reading program.

Venturing Out? Be Prepared and Stay Safe
As communities and businesses are opening, you may be looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible. While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection, it is important to understand potential risks and how to adopt different types of prevention measures to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Click here for more information.

Hopkinton Public Schools
The Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, Jeffrey Riley, should be sharing reentry guidance with School Districts in the coming week. Because we will finally have information guiding the District’s reentry planning, the schools will be forming a Reentry Advisory Group. Families should expect an email from the Superintendent seeking participation in the group. Due to anticipated high interest levels, family members will be selected based on their individual expressions of interest.

Annual Town Election rescheduled to be held on June 29, 2020
Click here for more info // Click here for Vote by Mail FAQ’s
Click here to review the specimen ballot

Reopening Massachusetts
On Saturday, June 6, Gov. Baker announced that Phase 2 of the four-phased approach to reopening Massachusetts was to begin on Monday, June 8. Phase 2 will consist of a Step One and Step Two.

Just because a business is eligible to open doesn’t mean it must open. All businesses must comply with these mandatory safety standards, and all businesses must meet these standards before reopening:

● COVID-19 control plan template — Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification.
● Compliance attestation poster — Poster that customer-facing businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors.
● Employer and Worker posters — Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting.

When can my business reopen?
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts

Parks/fields/playgrounds
Town athletic fields are now open under certain guidelines. More info can be found here. Playgrounds at Sandy Beach, Center School and EMC are open to the public. Face coverings are required when social distancing isn’t practical. Playground signage listing the use requirements will be posted soon.

The school fields and playgrounds are to stay closed for the remainder of the school year. School fields and playgrounds will reopen, with limitations, after the last day of school, June 17, 2020.

Hopkinton Temporary Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations
Anticipating the reopening of restaurants for customer seating outdoors, the Select Board adopted Temporary Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations at its meeting on June 2. Restaurants must comply with the State’s COVID-19 requirements, and the town will expedite and streamline its associated review process. Click here for guidelines.
Business owners/managers: Click here for the application.

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