Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Nov. 2.
COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
Nov. 2 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 Nov. 2, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 177 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 14 of those cases are active, with 150 recoveries and 13 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard.
Governor Baker Announces Targeted Measures To Curb Rising COVID-19 Cases — NEW UPDATE
Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Governor Charlie Baker announced these changes at a time when public health data has indicated that cases are rising, with cases up by 278% and hospitalizations up by 145% since Labor Day. These measures are meant to disrupt rising trends now, so the commonwealth can keep the economy and schools open for residents and to prevent the need to roll back to Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the reopening plan. Additional details and links can be found below, under New Orders and Advisories.
Election Day info — REMINDER
State election is tomorrow (Nov 3). Click here for more info. If you are voting in person at the polls, please remember your face covering and practice social distancing.
Election Stress — REMINDER
Hopkinton Youth and Family Services recognizes that the election season can be a time of additional stress during an already stressful time. A resource list is available to support self-care. Election Mental Health Resources
Feeling like you want to check in about election stress or other resources? On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, you can zoom with HYFS staff to talk from 12-4 p.m. or on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. A waiting room will be utilized to allow one resident in at a time. Residents will be served in the order they join the drop in time.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Click here to register for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Click here to register for Wednesday, Nov. 4.
New Orders & Advisories (issued Monday, Nov. 2, go into effect Friday, Nov. 6, at 12:01 a.m.)
- Stay At Home Advisory: The commonwealth issued a revised Stay At Home Advisory to ensure residents avoid unnecessary activities that can lead to increased COVID-19 transmission. The revised Stay At Home Advisory instructs residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The advisory allows for activities such as going to work, running critical errands to get groceries and address health needs, and taking a walk. Click here to read the revised Stay At Home Advisory.
- Early Closure of Businesses and Activities: Governor Baker issued a new executive order that requires the early closure of certain businesses and activities each night at 9:30 p.m. The 9:30 p.m. closure requirement is aligned with the Stay At Home Advisory and together the two new initiatives are designed to further limit activities that could lead to COVID-19 transmission. Click here to read the new executive order (including full list of businesses required to close at 9:30 p.m.).
- Face Covering Order: Governor Baker also signed an updated order related to face coverings. The revised order requires all persons to wear face coverings in all public places, even where they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. The revised order still allows for an exception for residents who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or disabling condition, but it allows employers to require employees to provide proof of such a condition. It also allows schools to require that students participating in in-person learning provide proof of such a medical or disabling condition. Click here to read the revised face coverings order.
- Gatherings Order: Governor Baker also signed an updated order restricting gatherings. The new gatherings order reduces the gathering size limit for gatherings at private residences. Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people. The limit on gatherings held in public spaces and at event venues (e.g. wedding venues) remains the same. The new order also requires that all gatherings (regardless of size or location) must end and disperse by 9:30 p.m. Click here to read the revised gatherings order.
Small Business Grants Now Open
Massachusetts is offering $50.8 million in grants to small businesses experiencing income loss and hardship due to COVID-19. Applications are being accepted now through Nov. 12.
Town of Hopkinton COVID-19 Rent and Mortgage Relief Program
The Town of Hopkinton is announcing a program to provide partial, temporary support for certain housing costs for qualified residents who have experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Funding for the program comes from the town’s federal CARES Act emergency relief allocation. Click here for more information and the application form.
COVID-19 Housing Assistance
Hopkinton renters and homeowners facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities or other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses or both due to the COVID-19 pandemic may call the Massachusetts 2-1-1 information hotline for information on state housing assistance programs. Operators for 2-1-1 are trained to answer questions and connect residents to the state agencies that administer COVID-19 housing assistance programs. Information is also available on the state’s website: mass.gov/CovidHousingHelp.
There could be more to the story … You don’t have to be an expert to support a friend in a time of need. Knowing how to recognize signs that something is wrong and start a conversation can make a huge difference to our loved ones. We can all Ask, Listen, Encourage and Check in. Click here for more info. Sometimes it may seem like more immediate help is needed. If a situation is potentially life threatening, call 9-1-1. If a friend or family member is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, the Emergency Services Program is available to everyone 24/7. Call 877-382-1609.
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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