In the News

On Monday, May 18^th the Baker-Polito Administration announced a comprehensive plan for a phased reopening of the Massachusetts economy. The Baker-Polito administration used a framework that considered both the public health risk and the economic benefit of reopening each of the closed sectors of the economy. Phase 1 started Monday, May 18^th, based on current public health data and trends.

All businesses must develop a written COVID-19 Control Plans outlining how their workplaces will comply with the mandatory safety standards for operation in the COVID-19 reopening period. Control Plans do not need to be submitted for approval but must be kept on-premise and made available in the case of an inspection or outbreak.

You can download the COVID-19 Control Plan here

The Town of Amherst will act in accordance with the State’s phased reopening plan. The Town will do everything it can to help Amherst reopen safely while working to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19. Our goal, first and foremost, is to maintain the well-being of all our community members.

Key Information: 

• All phased approach and reopening summary plans can be found at www.mass.gov/covid19
• Detailed industry reopening plan can be found here
• All sector-specific protocols and best practices can be found here
• Safer-at-Home Advisory details can be found here
• Local Business Resources from the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce at www.amherstarea.com

Sector-Specific Guidance, Information, Protocols and Best Practices

Places of Worship - Permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Places of Worship to Address COVID-19
• Places of Worship Protocol Summary
• Places of Worship Checklist

Outdoor Recreation - Permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020

• Parks, Open Space, and Outdoor Education Programs
• Mountain Biking
• Recreational Boating and Various Other Marine and Inland Waterway Related Activities
• Reopening Standards for Recreational Boating Businesses
• Zoos, Wildlife Reserves, Botanical Gardens

Construction - Permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Construction to Address COVID-19
• Construction Protocol Summary
• Construction Checklist

Manufacturing - Permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Manufacturing to Address COVID-19
• Manufacturing Protocol Summary
• Manufacturing Checklist

Office Spaces - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Office Spaces to Address COVID-19
• Office Spaces Protocol Summary
• Office Spaces Checklist

Laboratories - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Laboratories to Address COVID-19
• Laboratories Protocol Summary
• Laboratories Checklist

Hair Salons and Barbershops - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Hair Salons and Barbershops to Address COVID-19
• Hair Salons and Barbershops Protocol Summary
• Hair Salons and Barbershops Checklist

Car Washes - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Car Washes to Address COVID-19
• Car Washes Protocol Summary
• Car Washes Checklist

Pet Grooming - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020

• Workplace Safety Standards for Pet Grooming Services to Address COVID-19
• Pet Grooming Services Protocol Summary
• Pet Grooming Services Checklist

Health and Human Services Reopening Plans and Guidance

During the COVID-19 public health emergency to date, in order to ensure Massachusetts’ health care system had the capacity to address the pandemic, some health care services and procedures needed to be limited or put on hold temporarily, while many services were conducted remotely using telehealth. Emergency services and other essential health and human services continued during this time.

As of May 18^th, the Commonwealth is issuing new guidelines to hospitals and health care providers in accordance with the state’s four-phase reopening plan, to allow some non-emergency procedures or deferred care that may now need attention. Hospitals and Community Health Centers may begin this reopening starting on May 18^th, and all other providers may begin starting on May 25^th.