Town of Bridgewater Suspends Public Access to Municipal Buildings Due to COVID-19

BRIDGEWATER — Town Manager Michael Dutton, Health Agent Eric Badger, Police Chief Christopher Delmonte and Fire Chief Thomas D. Levy report that the Town of Bridgewater is suspending public access to municipal buildings in response to the COVID-19 crisis, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared to be a global pandemic and which as moved President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency.

There are no confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Bridgewater at this time.

“There is no easy way to say it, but things are going to be different for a little while, and we all need to make sure we are doing our part to slow the progress of this dangerous and deadly disease,” Town Manager Dutton said. “But I am supremely confident that Bridgewater will do its part. We will check on our neighbors; we will work from home; we will put off our social engagements, parties and play dates, and together we will emerge as a stronger community than ever before.”

Bridgewater announces the following changes to normal business until further notice:

• Bridgewater-Raynham Regional Schools are closed through at least March 27.
• Town offices are closed to the public. Offices will be staffed, however, members of the public may experience longer lead times than normal in the processing of certain requests.
• The Bridgewater Senior Center is closed to the public. However, the following services will continue: Meals on Wheels and medical appointment/grocery store transportation services.
• Veterans Services will provide telephone support only.
• The Bridgewater Public Library is closed to the public.
• Olde Scotland Links Golf Course is closed to the public.
• Town and school playgrounds, including Marathon Park, are closed
• Organized athletic events on town fields are cancelled.
• Public Works (Water Supply, Water Pollution Control and Roadways) administrative offices are closed to the public.)
• The Transfer Station will remain operational during normal business hours.
• Public Safety (Fire and Police) administrative offices are closed to the public, and members of the public are asked to call the department business lines (Fire: 508-697-0900 and Police: 508-697-6118) for all non-emergency requests.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency, but residents should NOT dial 911 for COVID-19 related questions.

The town recommending that residents practice social distancing (at least six feet away from others) and avoid large crowds and large-scale events. Families are urged not to hold “play dates” and those in need of childcare should limit the number of families involved as much as possible. Public health officials are seeking to slow the spread of the coronavirus to avoid a sudden overburdening of the region’s healthcare system. 

Seniors and those with underlying health conditions are urged not to babysit or attend gatherings with children.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:

• 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.

As always, if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not go to work or school and are advised to contact their primary care physician and/or the Winthrop Health Department.

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC website by clicking here.

Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

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