Update #5: (2:30 p.m.) Town of Arlington Provides Update on Coronavirus Situation

ARLINGTON — The Town of Arlington seeks to continuously update its residents on any local preparedness efforts and impacts from the ongoing nationwide novel coronavirus situation.

The Arlington leadership team met Wednesday morning to review the latest guidance from the Department of Public Health and from the office of Governor Charlie Baker.

The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts due to COVID-19. On Tuesday, DPH announced the number of total cases of COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, rose to 92 in Massachusetts. The next numbers and guidelines are expected from DPH at 4 p.m. daily.

The Town of Arlington continues to make the decisions its leadership team feels are best for its community, taking into account the latest information and guidance from state and federal authorities. 

Effective immediately, the Town has put the following measures in place:

• As Governor Baker’s office is urging older adults and those with health issues to avoid large crowds and large events, the Arlington Senior Center programming is suspended until further notice.
  • Senior transportation services will continue to run, to ensure Arlington’s senior population can make it to vital appointments.
• Programs and events at Arlington’s libraries will be postponed, and public meeting spaces will be closed until further notice.
• Arlington Recreation Department meetings, events and programming are cancelled until further notice
• The Town urges reasonable caution and strongly urges all residents practice good hygiene, especially as it relates to hand-washing and covering coughs/sneezes.
• All foreign and domestic travel, including conferences/seminars, for municipal employees has been suspended until further notice.
• Regular internal business shall continue, including but not limited to the meetings of boards and commissions that are preparing for Town Meeting or otherwise have statutory/regulatory responsibilities to fulfill.  Exceptions to this will require the written approval of the Town Manager.
• Any meeting cancellations would be posted on the town website and at town hall.
• Town officials are actively discussing potential impacts on Town Meeting and also speaking with state officials regarding potential legislative relief.  As more information becomes available it will be shared with Town Meeting Members and the general public.

The Town has stated and continues to advise that those — including municipal employees, residents, or students — who are feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms should stay home and not report to work or school.

For more information, visit the Town of Arlington Health and Human Services COVID-19 page or call the health department at 781-316-3170. The Baker Administration has also 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. You may also visit the CDC’s website by clicking here.

Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

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