6 April, 2020
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here: www.hopkintonma.gov/covid-19
While Town Hall and municipal buildings are physically closed to the public, we are open for
business. Many transactions can be completed online, and we are available via phone and
email to assist during regular business hours. A full Town Directory can be found here. Parks,
Playgrounds and Playing Fields are closed.
As of 11:00 a.m. on 4/6/20, Hopkinton’s Health Department has 15 total confirmed COVID-19
cases; 7 of those cases are active, with 8 recoveries and zero deaths. We are currently four to
ten days away from the anticipated “surge” in the Commonwealth (April 10 - April 20) and are
experiencing an increase in both traceable and community spread cases. Hopkinton’s most
recent cases fall within the 20-39 age range and relate to contact at work, travel and
undetermined exposures. Please review the newly released CDC recommendations for masks
posted below.
Mental Health Help - NEW UPDATE
The Coronavirus can cause feelings of stress, loneliness and despair and severely impact
mental health. There are many resources for help. The Centers for Disease Control has
comprehensive information on Stress and Coping.
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-str...)
Hopkinton Youth & Family Services has a resource page for behavioral health, substance use
recovery, and other resources to get help during the crisis that is regularly updated with new
resources. Y&FS Basic Needs Resource Sheet for COVID19 Can’t find what you need?
Contact us. Our office is available to help.
(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PRLc_KS6S8Cktl3gGaDv9Xi7APoTpT-gEPdD...)
Hopkinton Senior Center staff continue to be available if you have questions, concerns, need
assistance obtaining food or have any other need while we are closed. Please contact us at
508-497-9730. Leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.
CDC Updated Guidance on Wearing Cloth Masks in Public - NEW UPDATE
On April 3, CDC issued a recommendation about wearing cloth face coverings in public settings.
This recommendation was made after considering recent studies that have shown individuals
with the virus who lack symptoms can transmit the virus to others. CDC recommends wearing
cloth face coverings in public settings including places where social distancing measures are
difficult to maintain (such as grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant
community-based transmission.
It is critical to emphasize that the mask recommendation does not replace social distancing,
stay at home measures, and hand washing recommendations that remain in effect. Social
distancing, staying at home except for essential travel, and hand hygiene remain vitally
important to slowing the spread of the virus. Learn more at the CDC website.
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-fac...)
Restaurants May Sell Beer and Wine with Food for Take-out - NEW UPDATE
Governor Baker and the Alcohol Beverages Control Commission have approved an act allowing
restaurants with liquor licenses to sell beer and wine with food for take-out, effective
immediately and until the state of emergency is lifted. The effort is intended to help support local
restaurants including those in Hopkinton. Take-out customers may order up to 192 ounces of
malt beverages (about a 12-pack of 16 oz. bottles of beer) or up to 1.5 liters of wine (about one
bottle). Alcohol may only be sold with food, in sealed original containers, and both the buyer and
the recipient must be at least 21 years old. Read more.
(https://www.mass.gov/doc/abcc-advisory-regarding-on-premises-licensees-s...)
Municipal Governance Bill Signed - NEW UPDATE
The State Legislature signed an act to address the challenges faced by municipalities and state
authorities presented by COVID-19. The act addresses Town Meeting delays, emergency
liabilities in case COVID-19 prevents the adoption of annual budgets, due dates for real estate
and property tax bills, appeals and extensions, and other provisions. Read a summary.
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pyI3VzoRQsOJPmqlhsLdTozgE0Kz8FdE/view)
As a reminder, The Select Board voted at its March 17 meeting to delay Hopkinton’s Annual
Town Meeting to June 22, 2020. Additionally the board authorized the Town Manager and Town
Counsel to draft proposed special legislation to delay the Town election currently scheduled for
Monday, May 18, 2020 to a later date.
Hopkinton Public Schools - NEW UPDATE
The Hopkinton School Committee will vote on Thursday evening, April 9th, at their regularly
scheduled meeting whether to eliminate April Vacation (April 21-24). For details, check the Web
Meeting Calendar on the homepage of www.hopkintonma.gov
2020 Boston Marathon Refunds -
The Boston Athletic Association is offering refunds to any runners who are not able to
participate in the rescheduled race on September 14, 2020. This is the first time refunds have
ever been offered. Read more from the BAA. (https://www.baa.org/races/postponementfaqs)
Cybersecurity for Remote Meetings -
The FBI’s Boston Division has issued a warning about video-teleconferencing (VTC) hijacking or
“Zoom-bombing.” This is when video meetings, online classrooms, and other remote activities
are hijacked by somebody attempting to show pornographic and/or hate images, or threatening
language or background noise so as to disturb the meeting. The FBI is recommending
cybersecurity efforts such as: not making meetings or classrooms public; not sharing meeting
links on social media; managing screensharing options; ensuring users have updated software.
For any future public meeting, Hopkinton has enabled a “waiting room” feature, and the meeting
host will explicitly allow each participant into the meeting. Hopkinton Boards and committees
that do not have applications which are subject to regulatory or statutory time limitations
should not meet.
Massachusetts Beaches Closed -
Governor Baker issued an emergency order to close all coastal beaches and parking areas
managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation on Friday, April 3 at 12 Noon.
State beaches will remain open for activities such as walking, jogging, biking, and solitary
fishing. Seasonal state parks will open early this year; visitors are reminded to keep physical
and social distance when in parks.
RMV Extends Registration Deadline for 60 Days -
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has extended registration deadlines for 60 days.
All passenger and dealer plate registrations that expired in March have been extended until May
31. Registrations that expire in April have been extended until June 30. A limited number of
RMV locations remain open for appointment only services, no walk-ins. All services can be
accessed online at www.Mass.Gov/RMV.
Stay Updated & More Resources:
You can find many resources and more information at www.hopkintonma.gov/covid-19
Hopkinton also posts frequently on social media. Our Twitter is the best place to keep up with
all happenings Hopkinton. You don’t need an account to see our twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/HopkintonMA
Complete list of Emergency Orders and Guidance from Mass.gov
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency
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Please note - briefings for the remainder of the week will be scheduled for Wednesday and
Friday afternoon. Follow us on twitter for interim updates: https://twitter.com/HopkintonMA
