Medford Revises Local Coronavirus Emergency Orders

MEDFORD, MA — In light of the state's reopening plan and updated orders issued by Gov. Charlie Baker this week, some of Medford's local emergency orders have been revised, and others have been rescinded. However, the local state of emergency will remain in effect until further notice, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and the Board of Health said Wednesday.

The updated orders allow for real estate showings and visitors within Medford Housing Authority buildings at the discretion of management. Other orders that were previously issued by the city have been rescinded as they have been replaced by statewide orders covering the same fields.

Businesses and residents are still required to comply with these orders, including adhering to sector-specific guidelines and submitting checklists to the Board of Health, wearing face coverings, restrictions on business operations, and other guidance. Please visit www.medfordma.org/coronavirus-information for further information.

City Hall Reopening Update

City Hall and other municipal buildings will reopen to the public for in-person business on Monday, July 13, but appointments will be required until further notice. Appointments can be made in advance by calling the specific department at City Hall, or by calling the main line at 781-396-5500. Requirements for in-person visits include but are not limited to:

• Meetings via phone or virtual platform are strongly encouraged wherever possible.
• In-person appointments will be made in 20-minute intervals.
• Constituents must enter via the main doors at the front of City Hall. The side doors on either side of City Hall will be locked and used for exiting only. The front door is an ADA accessible entrance.
• Constituents will be required to sign into the building with a staff member in the lobby of City Hall before proceeding to your appointment.
• Only one constituent will be allowed in an office/department at one time. (Exceptions may apply for constituents who require support or assistance, or if visiting City Hall with another member of your household.)
• Constituents and employees must wear a face covering at all times.
• Plexiglass shields have been installed in all customer-facing offices in City Hall.
• Common surfaces will be regularly cleaned and disinfected, including between constituent appointments.

City staff will continue to review and analyze available data to inform future decisions for City Hall operations as well as adjust local emergency orders as necessary in the best interests of the public health of the Medford community. For updated information, visit www.medfordma.org.

Additional City Updates

• New Policies at Wright's Pond: To allow for proper social distancing, and for regular cleaning and maintenance, new policies and procedures are in place at Wright's Pond for Summer 2020. Reservations will be available in specific time blocks each day; vehicle stickers, walk-in passes, and seasonal memberships will not be offered this year. Reservations must be made in advance online or via telephone; cash transactions will not be accepted. For more details, visit www.medfordrecreation.org, call (781) 393-2486 or email medfordrecreation@medford-ma.gov

• Phase 3 General Info: Under the State’s Reopening Plan, Phase 3 began as of Monday, July 6, allowing for the reopening (with restrictions) of gyms and fitness centers, museums and other cultural centers, as well as allowing youth sports to resume games (no tournaments) this summer. Medford businesses must submit a checklist to the Board of Health in order to reopen. Sector-specific checklists are available at www.mass.gov/reopening. Businesses can submit checklists to the Board of Health here: https://tinyurl.com/yde43ftz

• New Mass Notification Platform: Beginning in August 2020, the City of Medford will move to a new platform for robo calls, emails, and text alerts. If you are currently signed up to receive these alerts, please be advised that you will receive information and details about how to create a new user account within the new system. If you do not currently have an account, or you would like to receive alerts from the City of Medford, you can create a login by visitingwww.medfordma.gov/alerts, or by contacting Jackie Piques at 781-393-2529, or jpiques@medford-ma.gov.