Coronavirus In Brookline: Updates, What's Closed, Canceled

LAST UPDATED: 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 18

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline schools, the libraries and town offices are closed along with several town sponsored events, as Brookline officials declared a local state of emergency in an effort to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus and keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. >> Brookline Declares State Of Emergency, Limits Lines To 10

“These steps are a necessary part of our community-wide effort to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19,” Town Administrator Kleckner said. “A big part of ensuring those efforts are successful is the cooperation of all of our stakeholders. We’re grateful for their engagement on this issue and willingness to adapt to the inconveniences these temporary measures create for the benefit of us all.”

Brookline Public Schools, the Soule Early Childhood Education Center, Eliot After School Program, Brookline Senior Center and Brookline Public Library buildings will be closed through at least March 27.

As part of the closure, all senior center, school, library and recreation activities, including sports, are canceled. Each building will undergo rigorous cleaning and disinfecting in order to prevent the spread of the virus through commonly touched surfaces, according to officials.

Town officials are echoing health recommendations and asking residents to practice social distancing and avoid group activities and events.

"The impact of these closures on all aspects of our community is something we take very seriously, but after thoughtful analysis of the situation our leadership team has determined that this is the most prudent course of action under the circumstances," Town Administrator Mel Kleckner said in a statement.

Town Hall, Town Buildings - closed to public

Town buildings and facilities are closed to the public, with the exception of Town Hall on a limited basis. The first floor of Town Hall will be for essential services only, as town officials assess community needs.

Residents with non-emergency business at Town Hall should call 617-730-2000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday before visiting in person. Residents should also note that many transactions can be completed online at Brooklinema.gov.

Town Hall and other town facilities — except parks — are closed to the public, and only emergency personnel will work from their offices or the Emergency Operations Center until further notice.

All other town staff who can will work remotely, with the transition to remote work being complete no later than Wednesday, March 18.

Town Public Meetings

All non-essential public meetings are cancelled through April 30.

Brookline’s COVID-19 Task Force will hold a virtual town hall on Tuesday, March 17 at 5 p.m., which will be available to watch live on Brookline Interactive Group (BIG).
The broadcast will stream live on BIG’s YouTube Channel, as well as on Comcast channel 23 and RCN channel 3.

Beginning now, residents may submit questions they would like the Task Force to address by tweeting using the hashtag #AskBrooklineCOVID19. In addition, once the meeting begins, residents can submit questions in the comments section of the video on YouTube.

Residents may also submit questions via email by writing to selectboard@brooklinema.gov.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order temporarily modifying the state’s opening meeting law to accommodate remote participation by board and committee members for meetings that do take place, as well as remote options for members of the public wishing to oversee such meetings. Read more>> Governor Baker Signs Executive Order On Open Meeting Law In MA

Schools - closed

Brookline Public Schools planned to close school through at least March 27. But on Sunday the governor declared schools be closed through April 6. All after-school activities and school-sponsored events are canceled until further notice.

School leaders are working to identify ways in which the gaps left by critical school services can be filled in a way that's in line with public health guidelines, according to officials.

"The time to take decisive action in response to this outbreak is not after it has taken hold throughout our community, but before," Interim Superintendent Ben Lummis said. "We fully grasp the ramifications of this decision, but steadfastly believe it's ultimately in the best interests of our community to close schools."

Read more>> Brookline Coronavirus: 2 People Test Positive, School To Close

Libraries - closed

Library buildings are closed and programs are cancelled through March 27.

Brookline COVID-19 Call Center and Email

The Town of Brookline has established a call center in order for residents to ask non-medical questions specific to COVID-19 in Brookline. The call center will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The number for the call center is 617-879-5636.

Residents seeking answers to Brookline-specific medical or public health inquiries should continue to contact the Brookline Department of Public Health at 617-730-2000.
Messages left after hours will be returned the next day. Residents can also email their non-medical inquiries to: COVID19Info@brooklinema.gov.

In the case of emergencies, call 911.

For general COVID-19 questions not specific to the Town of Brookline, call the state 211 line.

Free and Reduced Lunch for Brookline Students

During the temporary closure of the Public Schools of Brookline, students who qualify for free or reduced price meals will be offered meals at no cost through the district’s online student ordering system.

Students 18 and under can access grab and go prepared meals at one of four locations — Coolidge Corner School (CCS), Pierce School, Brookline High School and Baker School — three days per week. The first day students and families can pick up meals at their designated location is Wednesday, March 18:

All school buildings providing lunches during the period that the district is closed will undergo rigorous cleaning and disinfecting on a regular basis.

Families that qualify for free or reduced meals can use publicschoolsofbrooklineschoolnutrition.com to place orders ahead of time through the Out of School Ordering System.

Brookline Food Pantry

Families who take part in the Brookline Food Pantry’s Brookline Thrives program should be aware:

• Brookline Thrives bags will be available at Brookline Food Pantry locations during their operating hours.
• In addition, Thrives bags will be available for pick-up on Fridays from 3-5 p.m. in the Community Room at 226 High St. Just ask a Pantry volunteer for a Thrives bag at the entrance.
• To promote social distancing, the Food Pantry has announced changes to their normal procedures (shoppers wait outside while volunteers prepare bags to hand to them at the door).
• Complete details about the Food Pantry are available here and specific information about their Brookline Thrives program is available here.

Parking Ban Suspended

Brookline’s overnight parking ban has been suspended indefinitely.

Businesses

All restaurants and bars in town can only serve takeout or delivery food. No dine-in options permitted in town after 5 p.m. Monday, March 16. Also, queues of more than 10 people inside or outside any establishment will be prohibited.

The Brookline Police Department and Department of Public Works are coordinating to set aside parking spaces on town streets to facilitate the takeout and delivery process.

To ease the burden these restrictions place on restaurants and eateries, the town has suspended its styrofoam container ban.

Businesses are encouraged to review the resources available to support them during the COVID-19 response, which are online here.

Other Closures:

• Brookline Booksmith: Is Closed. It is also canceling in-store events through April 4
• Coolidge Corner Theatre March 13 - April 3
• Brookline Cherry Blossom Festival
• Greater Boston YMCAs are closed.
• Council on Aging activities are cancelled through at least March 27.
• The senior center is closed through at least March 27.
• Restaurants are only permitted to serve food to-go.
• Inner Space Yoga on Station Street
• Capitol One Cafe in Coolidge Corner
• Council on Aging activities are canceled through at least March 27.
• The senior center is closed through at least March 27.
• Recreation activities are canceled through at least March 27.
• Town playgrounds are closed until further notice.

Have an event that's also been canceled in town? Email Brookline@Patch.com

Prevention

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said that seniors and those with chronic health conditions are the most at-risk for serious illness caused by the coronavirus; they urge that those in this vulnerable population take appropriate precautions to mitigate their risk of becoming sick.

As has been widely suggested, any person who believes they may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their primary care physician.

Reported symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and respiratory illness, including pneumonia in severe cases.

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. According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days of exposure.

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

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60 percent 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 appear ill and stay home when you aren't feeling well.

"These simple steps can make a big difference in preventing the spread of any communicable sickness," said Brookline's Director of Health and Human Services Swannie Jett.

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