Category: NA COVID-19

COVID-19 News

Town of North Andover COVID-19 Update, May 29, 2020: Online Permitting from NAFD Now Available, Stevens Pond Update, Upcoming Blood Drive

Sarah Brush

Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

 

 

May 29, 2020 UPDATE

 

Current case count: 313

Active: 125

Recovered and out of isolation:  157

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 31

 

As a community, we continue to mourn our COVID-19 related deaths.  My thoughts, and the thoughts of all of our neighbors, are with families who have experienced such loss.  

 

The Fire Department has introduced online permitting.  The following permits are now available on the North Andover Fire Department website:

  • Box Plugging

  • Fire Alarm

  • Sprinkler

  • Hot Work

  • Installation/Alteration of Oil Burning Equipment.

These permits can be accessed through the following link:  https://www.northandoverma.gov/fire-department/fire-prevention/pages/permit

Stevens Pond will open on June 22 with restrictions.  The dock, rafts, and picnic tables will not be available.  All transactions for passes will be completed online.  Swimming lessons will be unable to run at this time.  Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to open Steven’s Pond for the community to enjoy.

We recognize how great the need for Blood Donations continues to be at this time. The American Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Drive at The North Andover Senior Center on June 20th from 9am to 2pm. Extra space will be available to allow for social distancing. Other control measures currently in place to keep staff and donors safe during donation can be found here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yUk80ZV4_6EPG7H6njqek061W3vAfbmq/view?usp=sharing

Recovered Covid-19 Donors Can Help Save Lives by signing up to donate their plasma to help current COVID-19 patients. 

In coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients. People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as treatment for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening COVID-19 RESPONSE COMMAND CENTER DAILY SITUATION REPORT condition. Interested individuals can visit RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid to learn more, and if eligible, sign up to help. 

We are also encouraging people who have not had COVID-19 to schedule and keep appointments to donate blood or platelets to ensure a stable blood supply during this pandemic. Donating blood products is essential to community health and the need for blood products is constant. As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations. The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. To make an appointment to donate, please visit www.RedCrossBlood.org  

Updates

  1. Town Meeting has been rescheduled until June 16.  It will be held at 5PM at the Walsh Stadium.  The warrant is available here: https://northandoverma.news/2020/05/27/june-16-2020-annual-town-meeting-warrant/

  2. Town Election is rescheduled until June 2nd and voting by mail and by absentee ballot is encouraged. Election protocols, which are designed to keep residents and workers safe, have been released and are available here: https://northandoverma.news/2020/05/26/protocols-for-june-2-town-election/.

  3. 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.  

  4. The Town has also implemented one way walking recommendations around the town common and high school track to encourage social distancing while exercising.  Please take a look at our Exercising in Public guidance.

  5. 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. 

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

  7. Meals are available for pick up or delivery on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.  Families may take two days worth of meals.  You will be asked to provide a confirmation number, people MUST pre-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 by 12:00 pm.

Meal pick up is at the High School. You must wear a mask to pick up food. 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.

On Monday, June 1, 2020, there will be a survey online regarding the meals program.  Please complete the survey.

 

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.  

 

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

 

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

 

Best,

Melissa Rodrigues, Esq.

Town Manager

 

 

Protocols for June 2 Town Election

Sarah Brush

Protocols for June 2 Town Election 

In order to protect the public and town employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, the following protocols and procedures will be implemented for the June 2 election. 

Voters will line up to vote outside of the High School. The line to vote will be managed by the Emergency Management Department in order to ensure sufficient social distancing per ground markings. The Board of Health will determine the number of residents allowed in the building at a time. Voters will be asked their precinct prior to entering the building and if a voter is at that precinct they will be instructed to continue to wait outside. 

Masks will be required. If a resident can not wear a mask for medical reasons, a separate voting area will be set up to accommodate that voter. 

Traffic flow: Residents will enter and exit the building through separate entrances as directed by Emergency Management. Residents will not be allowed to congregate in the parking lot. 

Layout: Increased space between precincts. One voting booth per precinct. Layout will be reviewed by the Health Department. 

Check in: Double tables will be installed for both check in and check out. Names should be stated loudly and clearly. There will be one person for each precinct at check in and one person for each precinct at check out. The check out person will also monitor the ballot box. 

Cleaning: Check in tables and voting booths will be cleaned after each voter. 

Supplies: 

● Safety bags for each worker 

○ Mask, sanitizer, red pen, gloves, water 

● Disposable pens 

● Masks for voters who forget them 

Staffing: 3 shifts of election workers will be put into place. Shift work will be as follows: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM 6:30 PM – close Town Hall Staff / Employees will conduct end of night tallying 

Police to assist with traffic and to encourage gatherings to disburse. 

Emergency management to assist with crowd control, traffic flow and cleaning. 

Poll observers: Discuss with candidates in advance, in order to limit the number of people in building. 

Count observers: Discuss with candidates in advance, in order to limit the number of people in building. Number shall not exceed limitations set by the Board of Health. 

Food: Due to mask and sanitary requirements, food will only be provided for the staff that will be working the entire day. Election workers are encouraged to bring their own snacks if needed, but will have to eat it in the cafeteria. 

Board of Registrar: One Board of Registrar will be present per shift to assist the Town Clerk with inactive voter registration issues. 


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Phase 1: Guidance for Reopening and Continuing Operations

Sarah Brush

North Andover Health Department

Community and Economic Development Division

Phase 1: Guidance for Reopening and Continuing Operations

As we move forward with the Governor’s plan to phase in different establishments and businesses, the North Andover Health Department is looking to provide the required documentation for your business in order to reopen or continue operating in a manner that will protect both staff and customers, and keep you in full compliance with the requirements set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For Reopening Phases for business categories, please see the chart created by the State of Massachusetts that notes different business categories and reopening dates or phases. 

In order to be operating in full compliance, please see the following directions:

  1. Visit www.northandoverma.gov/health 

    1. On the left side of the page, you will see a tab that says “COVID-19 Reopening”. Click this tab to be redirected to a google drive.

  2. Once inside this tab, you will see two folders. One is labeled “All Businesses”, and the other is labeled “Sector Specific Information”. 

    1. Download and print all documents from the “All Businesses” folder.

    2. Next, click on “Sector Specific Information”.  Go through this folder for any documents related to your type of business. Examples include guidance on Construction, Manufacturing, Office safety and more. Download and print all applicable documents.

  3. All businesses, whether already operating or reopening, must fill out and review the documents with staff under the “ALL BUSINESSES” folder in order to be in full compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Standards. These documents include:

    1. COVID-19 Control Plan – Once fully completed, this template satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification. Keep this on site at all times.

    2. Compliance attestation poster – This poster must be printed and signed, and posted conspicuously so that it is available to employees and visitors.

    3. Employer and Employee posters – These are posters that businesses should review with staff, and can print and display within the business premises to describe rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting.



The listed documents should be completed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Failure to complete the above tasks may result in non-compliance actions.



Phase 1 Guidance for Reopening.pdf

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