| Confirmed CasesIt has been reported to Acton Public Health that at this time there are 476 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Acton with 55 individuals in isolation, 399 recovered and 30 fatalities (many of these at congregate care facilities). Above is a chart showing the cumulative number of cases in Acton in blue and the daily trend in current cases in red. The chart below shows the daily trend in current cases as red bars. |
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| | PRESS RELEASE: Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Measures to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
BOSTON — On December 22, the Baker-Polito Administration announced further restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, including new capacity and gathering limits. These measures will go into effect on Saturday, December 26 and will remain in effect until noon on January 10, 2021.
Read a summary of the restrictions here.
Read the emergency order here.
Capacity Limits
Effective Saturday, December 26, most industries in Massachusetts will be subject to a 25% capacity limit including:
- Restaurants (based on permitted seating capacity)
- Close Contact Personal Services
- Theatres and Performance Venues
- Casinos
- Office Spaces
- Places of Worship
- Retail Businesses
- Driving and Flight Schools
- Golf Facilities (for indoor spaces)
- Libraries
- Lodging (for common areas)
- Arcades and Indoor Recreation Businesses
- Fitness Centers and Health Clubs
- Museums, Cultural Facilities and Guided Tours
Workers and staff will not count towards the occupancy count for restaurants, places of worship, close contact personal services, and retain businesses.
All other rules and restrictions in each sector-specific guidance will remain in effect.
Gatherings Limit - Effective Saturday, December 26, the gatherings limits will be updated. Indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25 people outside.
- The gatherings limit applies to private homes, event venues and public spaces.
Elective Surgeries
The Department of Public Health released updated guidance to hospitals around nonessential, elective invasive procedures. To preserve health care personnel resources, effective 12:01am on December 26, all hospitals are directed to postpone or cancel all nonessential inpatient elective invasive procedures in order to maintain and increase inpatient capacity. Hospitals shall make every effort to preserve their inpatient capacity by cancelling nonessential electives and redeploying staff.
Patients are reminded to still seek necessary care at their hospital or from their health care provider. |
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| Updates from the December 21, 2020 Board of Selectmen MeetingUse the following link to view the latest updates from the Board of Selectmen Chair.
http://www.actonma.gov/bos |
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| Town of Acton Designated as "Medium Risk" CommunityAccording to the statewide public health data released from MassDPH on Dec. 1, the Town’s designation is still “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” in the community.
According to the state data, Acton's average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 19.9 per 100,000 residents.
As cases continue to rise not just in our community, but throughout the entire state, it is vital that we all take the necessary precautions to prevent any further spread of COVID-19. This includes following CDC guidance regarding celebrating holidays this year. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, working together toward a common goal is essential for stopping the spread of this disease in our town.
Residents are urged to continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and limit their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traveling increases one’s potential to be exposed to COVID-19 and of potentially spreading it to others. Staying home and observing the holidays with those in your household or hosting a virtual celebration are the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include: - Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others, is critical.
- Those who must go out are urged to:
- Avoid gathering in groups
- Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
- Do not shake hands or hug
- Wash your hands often
- Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
- Wear a mask in all public indoor and outdoor spaces. This does not apply to those with underlying health conditions.
- Face coverings should:
- Cover the nose and mouth
- Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with either ties or ear loops
- Permit breathing without difficulty
- Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website. |
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| Testing InformationThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides comprehensive information about COVID-19 testing including an updated list of testing locations. More information is available at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing. An interactive map showing testing locations is also available using the link on the left. |
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| Town Services Hotline (978) 929-6600The Acton Town Services Hotline is available to connect residents with a live worker to receive information and answers to their questions about the latest government news, COVID-19, and Town services in general. Hotline workers also help answer questions related to the topics such as town meetings, financial relief programs for residents and business owners, and Town reopening plans. The Acton Town Services hotline number is 978-929-6600 and is open on Monday through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
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| Java with John ProgramFor the latest COVID information other updates from Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti and guests tune into the Java with John program Fridays at 10am. View previous episodes using the link shown to the left. This program is produced by the Acton Council on Aging in collaboration with ActonTV. The weekly program is also broadcast live on local FM radio at Acton's station WAEM 94.9 FM. |
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| Make an Appointment for Curbside or Window ServiceDue to the increase in COVID cases all Town Hall services are now by appointment only. Appointments can be made to meet at a service window or in the rear Town Hall parking lot for curbside. All town buildings remain closed to the public while Massachusetts’s State of Emergency is in effect. The closures are being ordered out of an abundance of caution in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and promote social distancing. Town Hall services are still operational and staff is available during normal hours throughout the work week. Please use www.actonma.gov to use the numbers below to contact staff.
Finance Department
Residents may call or email to make an appointment.
- Assessor’s Office: 978-929-6621, assessor@actonma.gov
- Collector’s Office: 978-929-6622, collector@actonma.gov
- Town Clerk's Office: 978-929-6620, clerk@actonma.gov
Land Use Department
In-person customer service by appointment only. Call or email to make an appointment. - Building Division: 978-929-6633, building@actonma.gov
- Conservation Division: 978-929-6634, nr@actonma.gov
- Health Division: 978-929-6632, health@actonma.gov
- Planning Division: 978-929-6631, planning@actoma.gov
Town Manager's Office- 978-929-6611, manager@actonma.gov
Town Services Hotline
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| Library Curbside ServiceDue to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, Acton Memorial Library is temporarily suspending all in-person browsing appointments. The good news is we are able to add more on demand curbside hours this week and next week!
Come to the library during curbside hours and call 978-929-6655, option 2. A library staff member will bring your holds outside.
For further updates on library hours and services, please go to our website at actonmemoriallibrary.org |
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| Transfer StationThe Acton Transfer Station will continue operating with the adjusted schedule for the initial reopening. The facility is currently open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first hour (7-8 a.m.) is designated for Seniors (65+). The Transfer Station will also begin to accept payments (checks only) at the office for bulky items by early June. Staff are continuing to look at how to re-introduce some recycling streams such as polystyrene in later phases.
The purchase of Transfer Station and Recycling Facility vehicle stickers are now available online.
For more information on the Transfer Station and Recycling Center, please call 978-929-7742. |
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