GEORGETOWN — Town Administrator Michael Farrelll reports that the Town of Georgetown is closing several Town buildings in response to the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic this week by the World Health Organization and has moved Governor Charlie Baker to declare a State of Emergency in Massachusetts and President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency.
Effective today, Monday, March 16 Town Hall, Georgetown Peabody Library and Council on Aging facilities will be closed to the public until at least Monday, April 6.
“As all of us continue to respond and react to the ever-changing landscape of the
COVID-19 outbreak, it has become apparent that social distancing is essential to our
common public health response,” Town Administrator Farrell said. “The health and safety of our staff and community are of utmost importance to all in Georgetown. To that end, effective today, Town of Georgetown’s non-public safety department buildings will be temporarily closed to public access.”
The Georgetown Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Department of Public Works, will continue operations unchanged and without interruption. Other town departments, exempting the Council on Aging and Georgetown Peabody Library, will continue to provide services to residents through online transactions, email and by telephone.
Regulatory departments will continue to ensure that the design and construction
industries will be able to seek permit reviews and needed inspections and
regulatory oversight as well.
Treasury, Accounting, and Assessing functions will also be operational while Town offices are closed temporarily, and updates will be provided on the Town’s website at www.georgetownma.gov.
On Monday, March 16, President Trump advised the public avoid gatherings with more than 10 people in one place, and on Sunday, March 15, Governor Baker announced guidelines for Massachusetts to include social distancing, including the closure of all public and private schools in the state through April 7. Additionally, all bars and restaurants will only serve takeout to customers for the coming weeks.
According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear 2-14 days after exposure. The DPH reports that symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia in severe cases.
The DPH recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
- Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
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