Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

TOWN MEETING POSTPONED/ GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES AND RENT ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCED

 April 7, 2020 UPDATE

Current case count: 50  

1. For the safety of residents and employees, the Board of Selectmen voted to postpone Town Meeting until June 16 at 6PM at the North Andover High School. The last day of voter registration for Town Meeting will be May 27.  The Town Clerk’s office will be open from 8am- 8pm for any new residents, anyone not currently registered or anyone recently turned 18. Online voter registration can be done at www.registertovotema.com.

2. The Affordable Housing Trust and Board of Selectmen voted to allocate $100,000 for an Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program will provide up to $1,000 of rental assistance per month for a total of up to 3 months to residents that are unemployed, furloughed or have had a significant decrease in income due to COVID-19. Information regarding details of the program along with the application can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wJMGyIm0cYpECRUcJJYYL6Wg6ypthyx2/view. You may also request information by emailing lburzlaff@northandoverma.gov or calling the Town Manager’s office at 978-688-9510.   

3. The Town today released The North Andover COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, which allows eligible small businesses to apply for a grant that will cover one month of rent or a mortgage payment for the business, up to a maximum of $3,000.  Learn more and apply here: www.northandoverma.gov/covidbizrelief

4. The Town or North Andover will be inviting residents to participate in the #NAFromADistance Drawing / Video Contest.   All children under the age of 14, who reside in North Andover, are eligible to submit artwork entries to the drawing contest.  North Andover families, teens 14+, and adults are eligible to participate in the video contest.  The theme of the contest is “What does Social Distancing Look Like to You?”  Show us how your family is having fun and staying safe! All submissions must adhere to the Town of North Andover Social Media Policy .  The contest will be open from Friday, April 10, 2020 at 8:00am until Friday, April 17, 2020 at Noon.  Interested participants can submit their entries by posting them on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube with the hashtag #NAFromADistance.  Please note, in order to submit your social media entry your privacy settings must be set to “public.” 

5. Social distancing has been shown to be the most proven method of preventing the transmission of COVID-19, but this can also be an issue for individuals who communicate primarily through face to face interactions, such as seniors.  Please take a look at some tips and guidance for Seniors, in regard to social distancing by clicking on this link Seniors, Social Distancing and COVID-19.  

6. Covid-19 is easily transmitted from person to person and concerns have arisen over virus transmission in apartment complexes, condominiums and multi-unit buildings.  The North Andover Health Department would like to provide you with tips and suggestions for both staff and residents, to work in unison to keep the property safe. Please read our Guidance for Apartment Complexes, Condo Associations and other Multi-unit Living Facilities. 

7. Most updated resources for Town businesses can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CaOzgHC0eb-Yal5yOHtggKBDC_Ig7osctuG5xc-pclo/edit

Reminders

1. The Board of Selectmen voted to postpone the Town Election until June 2.  Early voting by mail will be available. Absentee ballot applications are available outside of Town Hall. For more information click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eX7mRnin5Qd2wk3KwmSx9s9xWv-UaSSN/view  

2. Meals are available for pick up or delivery on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.  Families may take two days worth of meals. We ask that people please register for meals so that we have enough. Please pre-order your meals here: http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/departments/food-service-menus/community-meals-during-school-closure or by calling 978-208-6070 the day before.  Mondays meals should be called in on Friday. Meal pick up is at the High School.  If you pre-order food for pick-up, but become under isolation or quarantine, please call and we will assist you in arranging for a no-contact delivery instead.

3. The North Andover Senior Center is still offering grocery shopping trips for Seniors Tuesday-Friday.  Only 4 people are allowed per day. Please call 978-688-9560 to make your reservation.

4. Town playgrounds, basketball courts and tennis courts are closed for your safety.  Currently town trails and open spaces are open, but no contact sports are allowed and residents should follow social distancing and gathering guidelines.  Again, only passive use of open spaces are permitted. The equipment can not be disinfected and should not be used.

The COVID-19 hotline will still be available at 978-208-6070.  Messages left on this line are sent directly to Town staff and will be answered during regular business hours.  

Police, Fire, 911, Inspectional Services and DPW are still operating and we thank our essential employees for their continued dedication to this community.  

If you need to call 911 please let the dispatcher know if you have any symptoms of COVID19 or have traveled outside of the country.  

Please consider ordering takeout from North Andover restaurants and buying gift cards from North Andover businesses.  You can see a list of businesses that are open in town and what services they are offering here: https://www.supportnasmallbiz.com/

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has provided the following information

for all residents: 

Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.

• Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this novel coronavirus infection.

We continue to encourage social distancing.  Please see our Social Distance Guidance here.  The best way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is to avoid large crowds and stay home with your families.  This is of the utmost importance. Please join us in stressing this to your neighbors and friends. We do understand that at some point you may need to go to a potentially crowded or busy establishment, such as a grocery store.  We encourage you to follow our Tips to Shop Safely during COVID-19, found here. 

The best source of guidance and recommendations is the DPH website:

www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Questions about the town’s response or about the illness, in general, can be sent to covid19@northandoverma.gov

Updated COVID-19 FAQS are available here. 

We will continue to monitor this situation and will distribute necessary information and guidance. 

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