MAYNARD — Town Administrator Greg Johnson and the Maynard Public Health Staff report that the Town of Maynard is taking a number of steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, which the World Health Organization declared this week to be a global pandemic and which spurred President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency Friday.

The Town has put the following measures in place:

• Maynard Town Hall will be closed to the public on Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. The Town will re-evaluate this scheduled as necessary.
• The Maynard Public Library will be closed on Monday, March 16 and plans to reopen on Monday, March 30.  No fines will be charged on the days that the library is closed. 
• There will be no Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, March 17.
• The Water/Sewer rate public hearing originally scheduled for March 17 will be held on April 7.
• The Council on Aging will be closed to the public Monday March 16 through Friday, March 27 . The Town will re-evaluate this schedule as necessary. The COA van service is continuing to provide transportation for essential services only (medical appointments, grocery shopping, pharmacies, etc.). Staff will be available via phone Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 978-897-1009.
• Residents interested in providing donations for senior citizens can send electronic gift cards to the Council on Aging at [email protected] or mail physical gift cards to Maynard Town Hall, Attention COA 195 Main Street Maynard, MA 01754
• Public Health staff has contacted all Maynard food establishment with information on specific Food Code requirements that will help establishments and employees limit the potential spread of Coronavirus or any influenza virus as well as a list of EPA approved disinfectants, and food code regulations.
• Governor Charlie Baker announced on Friday that the state is banning gatherings of more than 250 people in Massachusetts. The ban includes, but is not limited to community, civic, public and leisure gatherings, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, festivals, and any similar event or activity that brings together 250 or more persons in a single room or space.

“We continue to make decisions that we believe, in consultation with our public health staff, are in the best interests of our residents,” Town Administrator Johnson said.

If anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not come to work or school and they are advised to contact their primary care physician.

The DPH recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:

• Practice good hand hygiene! 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.

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

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.