NEWBORYPORT – Mayor Donna D. Holaday, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Christopher LeClaire, City Marshal Mark Murray and Health Director Frank Giacalone seek to update the citizens of Newburyport on the city’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. City of Newburyport Web Site Click Here
There are currently three confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Newburyport. All three individuals who have tested positive, as well as their families, are currently in quarantine.
The Newburyport Health Department is following DPH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and is monitoring each case during the 14-day quarantine period.
COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, was declared a Global Pandemic by the World Health Organization and has led to a state of emergency declaration and activation of the Massachusetts National Guard by Governor Charlie Baker and the declaration of a national emergency by President Donald Trump.
Following the guidance of state and federal officials, the City of Newburyport has undertaken the following measures:
The Newburyport City Hall is closed to the public until further notice. Residents and business owners needing to conduct business with the city should call 978-465-4413 or visit the city’s website.
All Senior Center activities are cancelled.
The Newburyport Public Library is closed.
Public playgrounds are closed to the public.
Newburyport Youth Services is closed and all programming is suspended until further notice.
All Police and Fire Department lobbies and stations are closed to the public, with the exception of the vestibule at the front entrance of the police station, for emergencies only. Residents are encouraged to call the departments’ business lines for all non-emergency matters. The Police Department’s business line is 978-462-4411 and the Fire Department’s business line is 978-465-4427.
As always, please call 911 for any emergency. All emergency services are fully functional and prepared. Newburyport’s Emergency Management Agency is prepared to activate the City’s Emergency Operations Center if needed.
These closures are being done to promote the concept of social distancing and reduce the number of in-person interactions on a daily basis to decrease the chances of spreading in transmitting COVID-19.
The Newburyport Police and Fire Departments remain fully staffed and prepared to respond to any emergency.
This morning, March 23, Governor Baker issued an order for non-essential businesses to cease in-person operations and to prohibit gatherings of 10 of more people. The state has provided a guidance document on COVID-10 Essential Services as a companion to this Order (Exhibit A).
Mayor Holaday and the Health Director an Order ceasing the operation of all personal services opertations until futher notice.
The includes, but is not limited to:
- Beauty salons, haridressers, barbershops, aestheticians
- Nail salons
- Spas
- Microblade and all types of tattoo studios
- Gyms, fitness centers, tanning salons and yoga studios
- Massage and bodywork establishments
- Church and religios services and events
Reminder that all Playgrounds and Athletic Fields remain closed to the public.
To discourage social gatherings and slow the spread of the COVID-19, the City has closed all public athletic fields, courts, skate park and playgrounds until further notice.
This is a difficult decision as we would like residents and families with children to be outside enjoying physical activity, with proper social distancing. However, we cannot allow group gatherings or activities of any size on public fields or basketball courts and the skate park. Coronavirus may also survive on surfaces for long periods of time and could contaminate playground equipment.
Athletic fields will be closed. The Clipper City Rail Trail and passive areas of parks will be open for walking and exercising. We urge park users to follow these guidelines:
- Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not use parks or trails if you have symptoms, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.
- Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people. Practice it and know what it looks like. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.
- Warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.
- Note that public restrooms are closed. Public drinking fountains will remain disabled.
Public health officials also strongly discourage activities that promote private gatherings of people, including play dates, sleepovers, parties, social visits, and other activities where closer contact is the norm.
It needs to be a community based effort to slow down and limit the spread of COVID-19 and we need everyone’s cooperation. Residents who are comfortable going outdoors and who have not been instructed to quarantine, can stay active by walking, running, hiking or biking , while practicing social distancing recommendations from the CDC.
Additional Updates:
- Our Neighbors Table’s list of Food Sources for those in need. March 22, 2020
- Changes to trash and recycling pickup: G. Mello will only collect trash and recycling, including cardboard, from barrels and bins. March 22, 2020
- Press Release on first 3 Posititive COVID-19 Cases in Newburyport March 21, 2020
- Mayor Holaday’s Interview on Local Pulse Radio Program March 20, 2020
- Support for Small Businesses During COVID-19
- City of Newburyport State of Emergency Declaration March 19, 2020
- Mayor’s Speech on COVID-19 Preparations and Response March 19, 2020
- Press Release COVID- 19 Preparations and Response March 19, 2020
- Governor Baker’s emergency order temporarily closing all child care programs and authorizing the temporary creation and operation of emergency child care programs March 18, 2020
- Grab and Go Meals Program Launched for Newuryport Families in Need March 18, 2020
- Residents Can Help Others Through Good Neighbors Sign-Up March 18, 2020
- Public Playgrounds and Athletic Fields Closed to Limit COVID-19 March 17, 2020
- Reductions in City Staffing and Inspectional Services Suspended March 17, 2020
- City Established First Protocols and Processes in Response to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus March 16, 2020
- PUBLIC and PRIVATE elementary and secondary (K-12) schools to close until April 6, 2020 March 15, 2020
- Prohibitions of Gatherings of More Than 25 People and On-premises Consumption of Food and Drink March 15, 2020
- Mayor Holaday, Health Director Frank Giacolone, Superintendant Sean Gallagher and Council on Aging Director Roseann Robillard provide information on COVID-19 on NCM Hub Channel 9 March 13, 2020
Resources:
- Governor Baker’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration
- Updates, Emergency Orders, and Guidance from Governor Baker
- Newburyport Health Department COVID-19 Website
- CDC COVID-19 Website
- MDPH Website
Latest Health Guidance
City leaders stress that if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath they are advised to call their primary care physician as a first step.
For those calling 911 for police or fire services, you will find that dispatchers are asking a number of questions about the health of you and those in your household to better prepare first responders and keep them safe.
Public health officials are advising everyone to practice social distancing by keeping six feet between people to prevent the spread of infection, which includes handshaking and hugging. Residents are also encouraged to avoid group activities and events.
Other Guidelines Include:
- 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.
Managing Stress
The City’s leadership team understands that the threat of illness as well as the widespread practice of social distancing and the closure of most public events and cancellation of school and other activities is a source of stress and anxiety for many residents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for those experiencing fear and anxiety relating to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Coping with stress will make residents and those they care about, as well as the community as a whole, stronger and healthier.
Those who may respond to the crisis more strongly than others include:
- Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
- Children and teens
- People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, such as doctors and other healthcare providers, or first responders
- People who have mental health conditions, including problems with substance use
Additionally, people with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.
For more information, parents, responders, people who have been released from quarantine and the general public can visit the CDC’s “Managing Anxiety and Stress” website.
