Governor Baker Declares State
of Emergency to Support Commonwealth’s Response to Coronavirus
Administration issues updated guidance
for the public & Executive Branch employees around large events and travel
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| Governor Baker declared state emergency. (by Chutze Chou) |
The
Baker-Polito Administration also announced new guidance for Executive Branch
employees in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This
includes discontinuing all out-of-state work-related travel, canceling or
virtually holding conferences, seminars, and other discretionary gatherings,
informing employees not to attend external work-related conferences, seminars,
or events, reminding employees feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms to not
come into work, and encouraging high risk employees to talk with their
supervisors to review possible alternative work assignments.
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| (From MA Dept. of Public Health) |
Regular
internal government business will continue, and these new measures complement
other precautions that have been put in place in recent days encouraging proper
self-care and hygiene and increasing cleaning and sanitizing of Executive
Branch buildings and offices.
“Today,
I have declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts to further support our
response to Coronavirus,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We
will continue planning and preparing to mitigate the spread of this
disease, and have issued new guidance for Executive Branch employees in the
Commonwealth. I urge employers and other large organizations to follow our
example and limit or eliminate non-essential travel, limit or eliminate large
events where possible, and explore telework where appropriate for your
organization. We are also urging older adults and those with health issues to
avoid large crowds and large events.”
“Our
Administration believes it is important to start taking additional actions now
to mitigate spread based on the information we have available, including
issuing the enhanced guidance for Executive Branch employees which prohibits
nearly all work-related travel, limits or cancels large events, and encourages
teleworking where it is appropriate,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
“Our state agencies will continue to coordinate daily with health care
professionals, educational institutions and federal and local partners on
preparedness efforts for COVID-19.”
The
guidance for Executive Branch employees goes into effect on Wednesday, March
11, and will be revisited in 30 days or sooner as circumstances dictate. The
full details are as follows:
- All work-related
travel, both foreign and domestic, is to be discontinued until further
notice. Executive Branch employees are also strongly encouraged to avoid
any personal international travel.
- Conferences,
seminars and other discretionary gatherings, scheduled and hosted by
Executive Branch agencies involving external parties, are to be held
virtually or cancelled. Regular internal business shall continue,
including but not limited to mandated public hearings and board meetings.
Meeting organizers are strongly encouraged to utilize alternatives like
conference calls, WebEx and other group communication tools.
- Additionally,
Executive Branch employees should not attend external work-related
conferences, seminars or events. Alternatively, Executive Branch employees
are encouraged to participate remotely.
- Executive Branch
employees feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms should not come into
work. Information available to date regarding COVID-19 indicates that the
highest risk population includes older adults and individuals with serious
chronic medical conditions. Employees in this risk group are encouraged to
talk with their supervisors to review possible alternative work
assignments.
- These actions
complement additional precautions that have been undertaken in recent days
including encouraging proper self-care and hygiene such as washing hands,
ensuring bathrooms are stocked with hand washing materials and paper
products, frequently cleaning touch points such as doorknobs, handles,
elevator buttons and common area surface, and making cleaning
products and sanitizers available in all Executive Branch workspaces.
The
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has been activated and is
bringing together health, human services, public safety and several other
government agencies. This working group follows the Department of Public
Health’s infectious disease task force that was stood up in January.
The
Administration also issued updated guidance to members of the public. This
guidance is posted on the Department of Public Health’s website, www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.
The
Administration urges older adults and those with health issues to avoid large
crowds and events. Individuals who live in households with vulnerable people,
like elderly parents, should also consider avoiding crowds.
Tomorrow,
DPH will distribute guidance to long term care facility operators. This
guidance will outline how these facilities should protect elderly residents at
higher risk for Coronavirus. This will include banning visitors who show signs
or symptoms of a respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, or
sore throat). Visitors will be prohibited if in the last 14 days they had
contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, are under
investigation for COVID-19 or has been sick. Visitors will be prohibited
if they have travelled internationally in the last 14 days or are residing in a
community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring. Visitors will
not be allowed to visit long term care facilities if they currently feel sick
or exhibit symptoms.
On
public transportation, the MBTA will continue to disinfect surfaces and
vehicles in line with its new cleaning protocol, but the Administration
encourages older adults and those with underlying health issues to avoid large
crowds of possible.
Regarding
K-12 schools, the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) is providing
local schools with relief from attendance and school year requirements so that
schools have the flexibility to make decisions on temporary closures due to
Coronavirus concerns. More specifically:
- The longest that
any school district will be required to go is its scheduled 185th
day. No schools will be required to be in session after June 30th.
- For accountability
purposes for school year 2019-20, DESE will calculate chronic absenteeism
as of Monday, March 2, 2020 and disregard all attendance data for the
remainder of the school year.
- DESE Commissioner
Jeff Riley is strongly urging all districts to cancel all out-of-state
travel at this time. This is in addition to the Administration’s existing
request for schools to cancel international trips.
- The Department of
Public Health will be issuing updated guidance to Superintendents on how
to address cases that arise at a school, including potential school
closures.
The
public is also reminded of steps to take to limit the spread of COVID-19:
- Cover your mouth –
when you cough or sneeze use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
- Wash your hands –
with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based sanitizing gel.
- Stay home if you
are sick – and avoid close contact with others.
The Administration
will continue to update the public on further developments and individuals are
encouraged to consult both the Department
of Public Health and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention websites for the most up to date information.
