Mayor Holaday's COVID-19 Update May 28, 2020
Mayor Donna D. Holaday
May 28, 2020 COVID-19 UPDATE
Good afternoon everyone and thank you for listening in on this latest COVID-19 update. We currently have 22 active cases of COVID-10 in the community. In total, there have been 69 positive COVID-19 cases in Newburyport, and we have lost two residents due to the virus. We have been truly fortunate to have low numbers in comparison to other communities within Essex County. As we embark on a cautious and data driven phased reopening of our economy, the data is trending in the right direction. The progress we have made has been possible to everyone’s efforts to do their part.
As hoped, the state has seen a significant decrease in deaths and cases over the course of the past two or three weeks. Hospitalizations are down and we have made it beyond the so-called surge, though we need to remain on high alert of the virus as restrictions begin to be lifted.
This comes as we’ve started with Phase 1 of the four phased reopening plan. The first major shift came on May 25 as beaches opened, retailers started curbside pickup and hair salons and pet groomers can work by appointment. Preventative services at doctors and dentist offices are open. Phase 1 is expected to last at least three weeks, and as long as the COVID-19 data continues to be favorable, we will then move onto Phase 2.
Locally, the beaches at Plum Island and the public parking lot are open. The Parker River Refuge remains accessible on foot, as the refuge continues to work on a reopening plan in accordance with Federal guidelines. Additionally, residents can also obtain discount parking stickers for the Plum Island lot at the Harbormaster facility at 27 rear Water Street from 9am – 1pm seven days a week. Please bring your vehicle registration. Also, the boat launching facility at Cashman Park and central waterfront docks are open. The transient boater facility remains closed until further notice pending further guidance from the state.
Playgrounds remain closed. Athletic fields and tennis courts are open for non-contact activities only. The rail trail, boardwalk, other parks, and open spaces remain open for walking, hiking, biking, and exercise. Dogs are still required to be on leash at all times. This is a temporary measure. We expect some revised guidelines for these spaces in phases 2 and 3.
As the weather improves and the summer kicks in, many of us are looking to our parks, beaches and to the water. It is imperative that we adhere to the social distancing restrictions. We can’t gather and socialize the way we did last summer, not yet. We want people to be able to get outside and enjoy the good weather. So, when out in public, we need to stay six feet or more from other people, not congregate closely, not play games together or otherwise share objects and surfaces. And, while in our public parks and on our beaches, we all need to be wearing our face coverings or have it on our person to cover our nose and mouth when someone is six feet or closer. The city continues to have free masks available. They can be obtained at the Newburyport Senior/Community Center at 331 High Street from 9am – 1pm every weekday. Call 978-462-0430 to make arrangements for other pick up times.
Restaurants hope to open in Phase 2, as long as they operate at limited capacity and follow disinfection and social distancing requirements. Procedures are being finalized and will become public ahead of the second phase. Our inns and other lodgings will also be allowed to reopen to the general public with some restrictions under phase 2. Our gyms, health clubs and museums will be among the last businesses to be reopened in phase 3.
In accordance with the Governor's re-opening plan, youth programs and camps will be allowed to run beginning in Phase 2, though we are still waiting for final recommendations from the state. This week, Newburyport Youth Services announced a new summer plan with reduced programming. It will be posted on or around June 3rd. Other local organizations and centers are working hard to develop comprehensive plans alongside the state and industry guidelines to ensure a safe re-opening. Please visit the Newburyport Youth Services website to be aware of the steps we have taken, and for an overview of our tentative plans. We understand many of you are still working, or may be returning to work soon, and are trying to make plans. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The Superintendent and his team at the School Department expect to receive guidance from state education officials on summer programming early next week, followed by a mid-June draft plan on fall guidelines to help schools reopen in the new academic year. There is no question remote learning will be included as part of planning for the new school year, and even with students returning to the classroom, we need to be better prepared for the possibility that in-person education could be interrupted again.
In the meantime, the team continues to work on end of year school activities and is creating a reopening task force.
Last week I announced the cancellation of all large-scale events in Newburyport for the summer, and unfortunately do not foresee any changes based on the four-phased reopening plan. Smaller events that can run safely and comply with limitations to gatherings and social distancing will be considered by City officials and the Board of Health on a case-by-case basis. We hope to allow our cultural organizations in some capacities to provide us with pleasure, while still prioritizing the safety of audiences while celebrating community.
Newburyport City Hall and other municipal buildings will remain closed to the public as we make preparations for the safety of our staff and the public when we do reopen. This requires installing plexiglass shields in offices with customer counters, procuring sufficient PPE’S, disinfectant, sanitizer and decisions on safe scheduling and access. Since the state prohibition against gatherings of more than ten people remains in effect, all city public meetings and hearings will continue to be conducted remotely until further notice. This includes City Council and School Committee meetings. We are also working on a plan to open city hall to the public by mid-July.
We are working with our local businesses to support them in every way possible. The Economic Recovery Task Force continues to meet and is working with focus groups by economic sector and are developing reopening plans at the local level- restaurants, personal services, small business, retail, nonprofits, arts, general business, and manufacturing. All are reviewing the state guidelines, and have begun to identify many ways to utilize our open spaces, help encourage outdoor retailing and dining downtown, including the use of parking spaces, a partial shutdown of streets, or possibly select nights for closing streets, but the details still need to be addressed, as well as the individual needs of both our downtown businesses, cultural organizations, and residents. We need to understand all the consequences before we make drastic changes to our downtown and the benefit of doing so needs to be maximized for the greatest number of our community members.
I urge all Newburyport businesses to please visit the reopening Massachusetts website, mass.gov/reopening and download all the forms and checklists associated with your industry sector. Businesses will need a reopening plan and all the proper documentation available in order to reopen. Please help us reopen our local economy safely and responsibly.
We are also in the process of creating a new webpage on the City’s local plans to reopen the economy. There is also The Newburyport Connected webpage on the city website, a resource for all in need of services. We also have dedicated staff available to guide you. Please complete the online form and you will be contacted. You can also use this same form to request gifts cards for food, we have received many donations and would like to distribute these to anyone who needs assistance. And, remember to look at all of our resources and updates on the city website – cityofnewburyport.com.
For now, I ask everyone to remember that this virus is still with us. All of our best efforts will be needed for the foreseeable future. So please, continue do all the right things, regardless of how nice the weather gets. Thank you to all of you. Be safe and stay well.