Medford Public Schools To Close For 2 Weeks

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford Public Schools will close for at least two weeks starting Friday, March 13, officials said at an emergency School Committee meeting Thursday. Schools will be closed to students starting Friday and students and non-essential staff starting Monday.

There has been one positive case of COVID-19, the illness associated with the coronavirus, in Medford. No one in the Medford Public Schools has tested positive for the virus, officials said.

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Officials convened an emergency management meeting and have established action teams to address areas of particular concern, including food insecurity and assistance for the city's vulnerable populations.

Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent is working with the Food Security Task Force and her staff to implement plans for providing food and other support to students who need it. As of right now the following options for food service are available:

1. "Grab n' Go" food service options will be available Monday-Friday, 12-1 p.m., beginning next week at:

1. The McGlynn complex
2. The Medford Youth Center on Forest St.
3. Willis Ave. - 148 Exchange St.
1. The Unitarian Universalist Food Pantry is open Thursdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
2. The new Mystic Ave. Community Market is open: Monday, Tuesday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On Thursday, Medford canceled or postponed all events, gatherings and programming sponsored by the city or the Medford Public Schools where attendance is anticipated to be 25 people or more.

The restriction does not apply to other events, gatherings, and programming where attendance is not anticipated to exceed 25 people; however, "social distancing" guidelines must be followed, officials said. This includes maintaining a distance of at least six feet from all other individuals in a group setting and avoiding physical contact such as handshakes or other physical greetings.