Coronavirus: Malden Declares Local State Of Emergency

MALDEN, MA — Mayor Gary Christenson on Wednesday declared a local state of emergency in Malden, facilitating the use of resources and allowing for emergency expenditures and reimbursements from the federal government. The Malden Board of Health also issued an order restricting types of services where the public is in close contact with staff and other individuals.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Hairdressers and barbers
• Nail salons
• Massage services
• Body Art
• Body Work
• Fitness Centers
• Houses of Worship

Related: Under Local State Of Emergency: What That Means In Massachusetts

On Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker ordered all early education and child care centers closed effective March 23. Baker previously shut down all public K-12 schools for three weeks, limited gatherings to 25 people and closed restaurants to patrons but allowed them to offer takeout and delivery services.

Malden's emergency order directs all Malden Housing Authority properties to restrict visitation as necessary to protect the health of residents and staff.

"I understand that these are severe measures and will have significant economic impact on many of our residents and businesses, but they are necessary and critical during this public health crisis," Christenson said in a statement. "Public health experts have made it clear that our best defense against the spread of COVID-19 is social distancing and this means limiting any interpersonal contact. We need to do all we can to help stop its spread so as not to overwhelm our health care system."

To view the emergency orders and for updated information visit www.cityofmalden.org.