By Beth David, Editor
Massachusetts has fully vaccinated more than three million residents, and is on track to have four million fully vaccinated by early June.
Active cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 are down dramatically.
All seven state-run mass vaccination clinics do not require an appointment. The nearest mass vaccination site is in Dartmouth at the former Circuit City, 456 Faunce Corner Road. Call 888-702-9042 for more information. Visit https:// vaxfinder.mass.gov for other vaccination sites, including individual pharmacies.
Stop & Shop has announced that its pharmacies in the area also have the vaccine and will administer the shot by appointment or for walk-ins. Call your local S&S for details.
Anyone aged 12 and older is now eligible to be vaccinated, although all three vaccines are not approved for the younger age group. Call to find out which vaccine is being administered at the site you are using.
The governor’s new order removes the mask mandate as of 5/29 in most situations.
“Most restrictions, including limitations placed on businesses, will be rescinded effective May 29 as Massachusetts nears the goal of vaccinating four million residents,” said the governor’s office in a press release on 5/25/21.
Effective June 15, the state of emergency will end in Massachusetts. The state of emergency included measures that allowed temporary suspension of certain open meeting law requirements, special permits for expanded outside dining at restaurants, and billing protections for COVID-19 patients.
A bill filed by Governor Baker on 5/25 will extend these provisions related to the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law until September 1, 2021, which will allow additional time to consider possible permanent changes to the open meeting law to provide for greater flexibility in conducting open meetings through reliance on electronic streaming and similar measures.
The bill will also grant municipalities authority to extend special permits for restaurants offering outdoor dining issued under the State of Emergency through November 29, 2021.
Last week, Governor Baker announced that on May 29, all industries will be permitted to open.
With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for masks in public and private transportation systems, hospitals and other facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded.
The Fairhaven Selectboard voted on 5/25 to have all employees return to work in Town Hall beginning 6/1, instead of working remotely. Masks will still be required in Town Hall until further notice. The board will revisit the requirement in about a month. Interim Town Administrator Wendy Graves made the recommendation citing that New Bedford is a high risk area and there is no way to know if people entering the building have been vaccinated.
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Click here to download the entire 5/27/21 issue: 05-27-21 HuttlestonMP
