COVID-19 Restrictions and Resources

Reopening Massachusetts

Reopening Massachusetts Report (May 18, 2020 PDF)

Hingham Athletic Fields and Tennis Courts will Open with Restrictions on Monday 5/25 and Tuesday 5/2

Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards and Compliance Templates

The state’s reopening plan requires all businesses to self-certify that they have met the Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards established by the state before they can reopen in the appropriate Phase of the plan. These new standards will apply universally to all workplaces that are open in Phase 1. They are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers and are applicable to all sectors and industries.

The Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards cover social distancing, hygiene protocols, staffing and operations, and cleaning and disinfecting. The state has developed the following materials to help businesses comply with the new requirements:

COVID-19 control plan template – Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification.
Compliance attestation poster – Poster that customer-facing businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors.
Employer and Worker posters – Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting.
Welcome poster/checklist – After completing the COVID-19 Control Plan template, businesses should display this poster in an area on premises that is visible to employees and visitors.

Need help with the COVID-19 Control Plan template? We’ve assembled this List of Resources and sample materials from the Centers for Disease Control and the state that you can use to develop plans for your organization.

Phase 1 Sector-Specific Guidance

The state released sector-specific guidance for organizations eligible to reopen under Phase 1. Businesses are expected to implement these protocols in addition to the more general Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards described above. Links to sector-specific guidance for Phase 1 can be found below:

Construction – permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020
Manufacturing – permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020
Places of worship – permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020
Car washes – permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
Hair salons and barbershops – permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
Laboratories – permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
Office spaces – permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
Pet grooming - permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
Outdoor recreation guidance for Phase 1
Health and human services for Phase 1

Businesses operating to provide Essential Services may remain open and have until May 25, 2020 to comply with their industry’s sector-specific protocols (if applicable). Don’t see your business in the above list? Check the state’s “When can my business reopen?” page for more information. The state will publish additional sector guidance for future phases of the plan at a later date.

COVID Related Resources

211 Hotline – Commonwealth of MA - Make a free and confidential call to the COVID-19 Informational and Referral Hotline 24/7 by dialing 211.
AlertsMA Text Line – Commonwealth of MA – Subscribe to real-time text notifications about coronavirus by texting the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777.
Attorney General COVID-19 Resources - Commonwealth of MA
Buoy Online Tool – Commonwealth of MA - Residents can use the tool to get advice from an online health assistant safely at home, for free.
Cloth Face Coverings – CDC
Community Tracing Collaborative – Commonwealth of MA
Current Case Count - Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Essential Service List – Commonwealth of MA
Hingham Businesses Printable Distancing Sign - Hingham Board of Health
Nursing Home Family Resource Line – Commonwealth of MA - Dial 617-660-5399

Mental Health Resources

Hingham Health Department’s licensed Social Worker, Cheryl West. Cheryl is a great resource and she is available via telephone to residents to talk things through or just to listen. She can be reached at 781-804-2370 or by email at westc@hingham-ma.gov.
Massachusetts residents can dial 211 and choose the “CALL2TALK” option.
Samaritans is continuing operations 24/7, as always. During this unprecedented time, it can feel overwhelming to receive constant messages about COVID-19. Call or text their 24/7 helpline any time at 877-870-4673.
The Disaster Distress Helpline which can be reached at 1-800-985-5990, and is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including disease outbreaks like COVID-19. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available nationwide.
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their loved ones with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. For free, confidential support, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255.

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Resources

Safelink - The SafeLink toll-free number is (877) 785-2020. For the hearing-impaired, the SafeLink TTY number is (877) 521-2601. It is also available through the 211 line. .
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.