Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:

● Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
● Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
● Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
● Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
● Get vaccinated.

Even if you do not have symptoms, stay home as much as you can and practice social distancing if you must go out. That’s because you can be sick with COVID-19 and spread the illness to others as much as 48 hours before you have symptoms.

In Hopkinton and during the month of August, Hopkinton residents contracted COVID-19 while traveling, attending large gatherings, interacting with others within hospital waiting rooms, work and hockey. At 19 households, traveling was the leading risk factor.

If you must travel, automobile travel is the safest alternative (single family in car). Utilize the other precautions listed above when in a high-risk environment.

When enrolling your child in a program or sport, verify that the organization has developed and implemented COVID-19 protocols.

See more info from Mass.gov here: mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment

Labor Day — NEW UPDATE
Hopkinton Town Hall and Municipal Offices will be closed on Monday, Sept 6, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Travel — NEW UPDATE
Per CDC guidelines, delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s recommendations for people who are not fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States if following CDC guidelines. CDC will update these recommendations as more
people are vaccinated, as rates of COVID-19 change, and as additional scientific evidence becomes available. This guidance applies to travel within the United States and U.S. territories. More information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

Booster Shot Info — NEW UPDATE
Q) When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
A) Not immediately. Per the CDC, the goal is for people to start receiving a COVID-19 booster shot beginning in the fall, with individuals being eligible starting 8 months after they received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). This is subject to authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). FDA is conducting an independent evaluation to determine the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the mRNA vaccines.

More information here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

Vaccine info — Where and How
mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
Find a location using vaxfinder.mass.gov/
**In-home vaccinations are available to anyone who cannot travel to a vaccination location. Call 833-983-0485 to schedule an appointment for yourself or your loved ones.

Boston Marathon — NEW UPDATE
On Sept. 2, the Boston Athletic Association announced that entrants in the 125th Boston Marathon, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 11, will need to either provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to participate in the fall race. More info available here:
baa.org/baa-announces-participant-health-safety-policies-125th-boston-marathon

Testing — Where and How
mass.gov/covid-19-testing
mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test

Delta Variant Info
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html — updated Aug. 31

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

Hopkinton Youth and Family Services
With so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and associated impacts, additional tools to receive information and resources are available. Hopkinton Youth & Family Services (HYFS) wants the public to be aware that FREE and CONFIDENTIAL online Behavioral Health Screenings are available to the public in both English and Spanish. HYFS contracted with Mindwise Innovations, a division of Riverside Community Care, to offer 14 scientifically validated screenings including the following topics: anxiety, depression, general wellness, adolescent depression, adolescent substance use, gambling, eating disorders, PTSD, opioid use, substance use, psychosis (for self or loved one) and more. To take a screen and for more information visit: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/HYFS.

State of Emergency Lifted as of June 15
On May 28, Gov. Baker announced the State of Emergency would be lifted as of June 15. More info here:
mass.gov/news/governor-baker-issues-order-rescinding-covid-19-restrictions-on-may-29-and-terminating-state-of-emergency-effective-june-15