Coronavirus news and resources for local government leaders

Latest Updates

Gov. Charlie Baker & Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announce the release of additional data on community-level spread of COVID-19 at a State House press conference on Aug. 11. (Photo: Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office)

Reopening Massachusetts

Emergency orders and related guidance associated with COVID-19 State of Emergency

COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report, updated Thursday afternoons

DPH’s COVID-19 Response Reporting, updated daily by 4 p.m.

Most recent MEMA Command Center Situation report | Previous reports

Press Releases Related to COVID-19

Administration announces vaccine requirement for executive department employees
August 19

Administration unveils plan to invest $2.8B in federal COVID-19 funding to support economic recovery, communities hit hardest by pandemic
June 17

Administration Announces Plan to Invest $2.8 Billion in Federal COVID-19 Funding to Support Economic Recovery, Communities Hit Hardest by Pandemic
June 17

Division of Open Government issues guidance about open meeting law under new legislation
June 17

Governor signs pandemic policy extension law
June 16

Administration Announces $109 Million in Direct Federal Aid for Four Communities
June 4

Baker Issues Order Rescinding COVID-19 Restrictions on May 29 and Terminating State of Emergency Effective June 15
May 28

Vaccine preregistration system to close; homebound vaccination to expand
May 21

With full reopening in sight, state and local officials discuss extension of some special pandemic rules
May 18

State to lift remaining COVID restrictions May 29 and ease mask-wearing rules
May 17

Administration to Lift COVID Restrictions May 29, State to Meet Vaccination Goal by Beginning of June
May 17

Administration announces employer vaccination program, extension of free testing
May 13

Administration on Track to Hit Goal of 4.1 Million People Vaccinated, Announces Next Phase of Vaccination Efforts
May 3

State, local officials look toward a fuller reopening
April 28

Baker-Polito administration announces plans for continued reopening
April 27

Treasury lays out steps local governments need to take to prepare for ARPA grants
April 16

State directs providers to halt use of J&J vaccine
April 13

Federal aid, vaccines and summer are topics of call with state and local officials
April 6

Administration Announces Mobile Vaccination & Additional Support for Disproportionately Impacted Communities
April 1

Admin Provides Weekly Dose Updates, $100 Million for Disproportionately Impacted Communities, Announces Homebound Vaccination Program
March 25

ARPA is focal point for state and local officials during call
March 23

Mass. to transition to Phase 4 of Reopening Plan March 22
March 18

Vaccine timeline for all residents announced; $24.7M available for Vaccine Equity Initiative
March 17

President signs American Rescue Plan, with $65B for municipalities
March 11

State designates days for educator vaccines, launches new preregistration system for MassVax
March 10

Vaccines, federal aid and in-person learning are primary topics of municipal CEO briefing
March 9

K-12 educators and staff and child care workers eligible for vaccine appointments on March 11
March 3

Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Feb. 25

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $4.7 Million for Vaccine Equity in Hardest-Hit Communities; Regional Vaccination Collaboratives
Feb. 24

State and local officials continue discussion of vaccine challenges
Feb. 23

Administration Announces Vaccine Appointment Booking for Individuals Ages 65+, Individuals with 2+ Certain Medical Conditions to Begin on February 18th
Feb. 17

Administration launches targeted outreach initiative in 20 hardest hit communities to increase equity in COVID-19 vaccine awareness and access; $1m to support vaccination in historically underserved communities
Feb. 16

Administration Launches New Vaccine Location Finder and Appointment Finder for Some Sites
Feb. 12

Administration Announces 2 Mass Vaccination Sites and Authorization for Caregiver to Get Vaccinated with 75+ Resident
Feb. 10

State and local officials discuss COVID vaccine challenges
Feb. 9

COVID-19 Command Center Announces More Details For Vaccine Online Booking Process
Feb. 3

Administration Announces Launch of Pilot to Provide Dedicated COVID-19 Testing Sites to Child Care Programs, Expanded Resources for Providers
Jan. 25

Administration Announces Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccination Sites, Updates to Phase Two
Jan. 25

Administration Expands Vaccine Access to All Eligible Residents in Phase One Effective Immediately
Jan. 21

Administration Extends Capacity Limits and Lifts Early Closing Requirement for Businesses
Jan. 21

Administration Launches COVID-19 Vaccine CDC Pharmacy Partnership – Phase 1, Expands Vaccine Locations, and Names Fenway Park as Mass Vaccination Site
Jan. 19

Administration announces extension of capacity and gathering limits
Jan. 8

State, local leaders focus on vaccine in call
Jan. 6

Administration announces further measures to stop spread of COVID
Dec. 22

State, local officials discuss 2 tracks of pandemic
Dec. 15

Baker-Polito Administration Launches New Testing Infrastructure to Increase Testing Capacity & Efficiency Statewide
Dec. 7

State and local leaders discuss COVID vaccine, testing and federal aid
Dec. 1

As COVID numbers rise and holidays approach, state and local officials focus on safety measures
Nov. 19

Baker-Polito Administration, COVID-19 Command Center & Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Release Updated Metrics, Guidance on Schools
Nov. 6

Gov. Baker addresses COVID spike in call with local leaders
Nov. 5

Gov. Baker announces measures to curb rising COVID-19 cases
Nov. 2

COVID numbers, budgets and housing are priorities during call for state, local leaders
Oct. 20

State and local leaders discuss COVID status, CARES Act funding
Oct. 6

Lower-risk communities may move to Step 2 of Phase 3 effective Oct. 5
Sept. 29

Administration Announces Free COVID-19 Testing in 18 Communities is Extended through October
Sept. 23

School and business issues are key topics for state and local leaders
Sept. 22

Massachusetts Announces Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses
Sept. 15

As school year approaches, state and local leaders discuss plans, needs and options
Sept. 8

State and local leaders assess COVID progress and look toward fall
Aug. 25

State, local leaders discuss how new COVID data could influence decisions
Aug. 11

Baker-Polito Administration Releases Enhanced Community Level Data on Spread of COVID-19
Aug. 11

Administration announces new COVID-19 restrictions
Aug. 7

State, communities look to Congress for aid as reopening moves forward
July 28

Baker-Polito Administration Issues New Travel Order Effective August 1st
July 24

State and local leaders discuss long-lasting Phase 3
July 7

Reopening Massachusetts: Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to Third Phase of Four-Phase Approach
July 2

With COVID surging elsewhere, state and local leaders discuss continued progress here
July 1

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Updated Travel Guidelines to Support COVID-19 Response
June 30

DESE’s initial back-to-school guidance prioritizes in-person learning, sets health, safety requirements
June 25

State and local leaders discuss incremental changes in reopening process
June 23

Step 2 of Phase 2 of reopening set for Monday, administration announces
June 19

State and local leaders continue to forge path through COVID crisis
June 16

State and local officials discuss reopening progress and the steps ahead
June 9

Governor announces Phase 2 of reopening will begin June 8
June 6

Law allows changes to town meeting, election and budget processes
June 5

State and local officials look toward return of popular activities
June 2

Executive orders allow preparations for reopening outdoor dining, child care, retail, sports
June 2

Baker-Polito Administration Provides Update on Phase II of Reopening Plan, Releases Guidance for Restaurants and Lodging
May 29

City, town halls allowed to reopen under new rules, but many proceeding with caution
May 28

State and local leaders discuss reopening progress and new questions
May 26

As reopening launches, state and local leaders discuss complicated landscape
May 19

Baker-Polito administration releases state reopening plan
May 18

Reopening Massachusetts: Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to First Phase of Four-Phase Approach
May 18

Baker-Polito Administration to Distribute $502 Million from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to Cities and Towns
May 15

MMA presents key municipal priorities for reopening process
May 13

State and local leaders discuss the complexities of reopening
May 12

Baker-Polito Administration Files Supplemental Budget Bill to Authorize $1 Billion in COVID-19 Spending
May 12

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Four-Phase Approach to Reopening and Publishes Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards
May 11

As state inches toward reopening, complex planning process underway
May 5

Baker-Polito Administration Orders Use of Mask or Face Covering in Public, Announces Increased Community Health Center COVID-19 Testing Capacity
May 1

Extreme uncertainty clouds budget outlook
April 30

Administration seeks municipal input as it develops plan to reopen workplaces
April 28

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures to May 18th, Announces Reopening Advisory Board
April 28

Municipal organizations call for $250B federal assistance package for local governments
April 23

State and local leaders discuss the path to ‘normal’ and lack of budget clarity
April 21

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Extension of School and Non-Emergency Child Care Program Closures, Continued Steps to Support COVID-19 Response
April 21

AG Healey Launches New Website for First Responders and Health Care Workers
April 15

Awaiting surge, local and state officials grapple with questions about what’s ahead
April 14

State budget writers hear dire forecasts during economic roundtable with key experts
April 14

MMA holds COVID-19 briefing webinar for Massachusetts Select Board Association and Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association
April 10

Gov. signs law with number of school-related adjustments
April 10

Administration Issues Further Public Health Guidance, Expands First Responder Testing Sites to Include Grocery Store Workers, and Authorizes Increased National Guard Activation
April 10

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Testing Site Expansion, New Restrictions For Grocery Stores, Crisis Standards of Care Recommendations
April 8

Sheltering, testing and fiscal matters are focus of COVID call with state leaders
April 7

Administration Responds to Questions Raised During March 31 Municipal CEO Briefing
April 6

Baker-Polito Administration Announces COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative to Further Mitigate the Spread of Virus
April 3

Gov. signs law to address municipal operations challenges resulting from COVID-19 emergency
April 2

Administration issues new guidance for construction sites
April 2

State budget writers to host discussion of COVID economic impacts April 14
April 2

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures and Executive Branch Employee Guidance
March 31

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Response
March 28

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Extension of School and Non-Emergency Child Care Program Closures and Steps to Ensure Housing Stability To Support COVID-19 Response
March 25

Administration issues further guidance on construction during closure of non-essential businesses
March 25

Local officials talk to state leaders about COVID-related operational challenges
March 24

Gov. Orders All Non-Essential Businesses to Cease In-Person Operation, Directs DPH to Issue Stay-at-Home Advisory for 2 Weeks
March 23

Gov. and top state officials discuss operational challenges with mayors
March 18

U.S. Census Bureau makes adjustments due to COVID-19
March 18

Congress passes the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 18

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Changes to Expedite Health Care Licensing, and Increase Support for Local Boards of Health and Small Businesses
March 17

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Actions to Address COVID-19
March 15

Gov. signs order suspending parts of open meeting law to enable local decision-making during COVID-19 emergency
March 13

Message to members: MMA staff is now working remotely
March 13

Governor Baker Declares State of Emergency to Support Commonwealth’s Response to Coronavirus
March 10

Guidance for Local Leaders

Topics

New This Week

Vaccine
Meetings and Elections
Public Meetings, Hearings, Operations
Education and Child Care
PPE, Testing, Tracing and Enforcement
First Responders
Business Activities
Human Resources
Remote Work
Housing and Sheltering
Health and Human Services
Planning and Local Response
Municipal Services
Recreation and Summer Activities
Guidance Archive

Vaccine

Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program – Provider Information and Resources List, Sept. 1
– Dept. of Public Health

Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Vaccine Boosters, July 8
– CDC and FDA

When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated – How to Protect Yourself and Others, updated July 27
– CDC

COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Program

COVID-19 vaccinations for people under age 18
– Dept. of Public Health

COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative

Choosing Safer Activities – mask guidance
– CDC

Guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
– Dept. of Public Health

When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated: How to Protect Yourself and Others
– CDC

Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Data
– Dept. of Public Health

COVID-19 Homebound Vaccination Program

Massachusetts Homebound Vaccination Program Resource Guide and Information (March 23)

COVID vaccine FAQs in multiple languages
– Dept. of Public Health

Getting Back to Normal is Going to Take All of Our Tools (poster)
– CDC

COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet – English
– CDC

COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet – Spanish
– CDC

Why Get Vaccinated? (poster)
– CDC

Meetings and Elections

Guidance for Town Meetings to Address COVID-19, updated Nov. 23
– Dept. of Public Health

Public Meetings, Hearings, Operations

Instructions for Submitting Legislative Committee Hearing Testimony
– Massachusetts Legislature

Guidance on Gatherings and Community Events
– U.S. CDC

Education and Child Care

Extension of DESE Mask Requirement, Sept, 27, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

Implementation of DESE Mask Requirement, Aug. 25, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

Memorandum: DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios – SY 2021-22
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

2021-22 School Year FAQ, Aug. 20, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education/Dept. of Public Health

Memo: Recommendation to Authorize Commissioner to Require Masks for Students and Staff in K-12 Schools through at least October 1, 2021, Consistent with Exigent Circumstances under Student Learning Time Regulations, 603 CMR 27.08 (1)
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

COVID-19 Guidance for Districts and Schools Fall 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education/Dept. of Public Health

Guidance on In-Person Learning and Student Learning Time Requirements, April 27, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios (Revised April 20, 2021)
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events for School Year 2020-2021 (revised April 1, 2021)
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

PPE, Testing, Tracing and Enforcement

Find a COVID-19 Test
– Dept. of Public Health

COVID Data Tracker: COVID-19 Integrated County View
– CDC

First Responders

COVID-19 Vaccine Locations for First Responders

Business Activities

Safety Standards and Checklist: Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed (effective March 21, 2021)
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

Sector-specific safety rules for large capacity venues permitted to open to the public in Phase 4
– Dept. of Labor Standards

Submit a Large Capacity Venue Safety Plan
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

Human Resources

Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave – Employer Guidance, effective May 28, 2021
– Commonwealth of Massachusetts

U.S. Travel Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
– CDC

Massachusetts Travel Advisory (eff. March 22, 2021)

Remote Work

Housing and Sheltering

How to Establish and Improve Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
– National League of Cities

Health and Human Services

Find Food Assistance
– Department of Transitional Assistance

COVID-19 Public Resources Map
– Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, MassGIS, Project Bread, Greater Boston Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, Massachusetts Communities

Planning and Local Response

Advisory Regarding Face Coverings and Cloth Masks, updated July 30, 2021
– Dept. of Public Health

Safety Standards and Checklist: Indoor and Outdoor Events (effective March 22, 2021)
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

Municipal Services

Safety Standards and Checklist for Libraries
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

Reopening Your Library: Guidelines, Roadmap and Plan Template
– Massachusetts Library System

Recreation and Outdoor Activities

Safety and Reopening Standards For Businesses and Other Entities Providing Youth and Adult Amateur Sports Activities, effective May 18
– Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Recreational Camps and Programs Health and Safety Standards for Reopening

New This Week

Extension of DESE Mask Requirement – Sept, 27, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

ARPA, CARES and FEMA

The MMA has gathered a wide range of resources related to the three key federal pandemic-related funding streams:

• ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund)
• CARES Act (Coronavirus Relief Fund – Municipal Program)
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program)