As the COVID-19 Command Center and other agencies and organizations provide updates on COVID-19, I wanted to share with you the new information being reported:
Statewide Updates
- In Massachusetts, there are a total of 108,882 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 842,960 individual tests (molecular testing) have been performed. You can access a summary of case details and lab testing and cases by hospital facility and additional COVID-19 response reporting on the dashboard here.
- Today, the Governor updated the travel guidelines for individuals entering Massachusetts. Effective July 1, all travelers arriving in Massachusetts, including those returning home, are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. This guidance does not apply to travelers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, or New Jersey. For more information, click here.
- Today, the House of Representatives met in a remote formal session voted to approve three bills:
- An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health, which creates a commission to examine ways to reduce racial inequities related to maternal health in the Commonwealth.
- An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19, which expands the options for both mail-in voting and early voting for the 2020 state primary and general election.
- An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, which authorizes $200 million in state funding for repairs to local roads and bridges in the Commonwealth.
Local Updates
- In Dover, the boil water advisory continues to remain in place while Colonial Water continues to chlorinate the water. Bottled water continues distributed until 6:00 PM at the Town garage daily. I continue to work with the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Public Health, to support the Town during this water crisis. For more information, click here.
- In Needham, the Select Board has authorized 2-hour free summer parking until September 8 to support local businesses and encourage shoppers and diners to visit businesses in Needham. Regular fees will resume after Labor Day.
- In Medfield, the water restriction has been elevated to Tier 3 by the Board of Selectmen. Tier 3 limits nonessential water use to 1 day per week. For more information, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 2: Cautious
- On Monday, June 22, the second part of Phase 2 of Massachusetts Reopening began. This part includes indoor dining, increased capacity for office spaces, hair removal, nail care, skin care, massage therapy, make up salons, tanning salons, tattoo, piercing, and body art services, and personal training with restrictions. These businesses will be operating under careful guidelines, which can be accessed by clicking here.
- If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy admits the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.
Resources
- Anyone feeling overwhelmed with sadness, anxiety or stress, or who wants to harm themselves or others, can access the mental health, emotional support, and suicide prevention program Call2Talk by dialing 2-1-1. Call2Talk is also available by calling 508-532-2255 or by texting C2T to 741741.
- If you or someone you know is at risk for sexual and domestic violence, service providers are still accessible. You can find local services by clicking here. You can also call SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence hotline, at 1-877-785-2020. SafeLink can provide resources and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- To file an unemployment claim, visit here. If you have trouble filing a claim, please contact my office for assistance.
- If you do not qualify for traditional unemployment benefits but have lost your job due to COVID-19, you may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the federal CARES Act. To learn more, click here.
- To apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)benefits call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (M-F from 8 AM-7 PM & Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM.)
- The WIC (Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition) program provides families with healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for families. To check your eligibility and apply for WIC, click here.
Please remember social distancing is the most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to these updates, my office is still accessible so please continue to reach out and we will get back to you.
Email: Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov
Phone: 617-722-2380
Our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:
Needham Health Department Updates: http://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health
Medfield Updates: http://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19
Dover Updates: http://doverma.org/
Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19, call 2-1-1, or text COVIDMA to 888-777.
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
