CORONAVIRUS:
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MAYOR WALSHVIDEO: Volunteers Share Info on CoronavirusA thousand volunteers delivered printed information on COVID-19 to all homes in Boston. The pamphlet outlined details in seven languages about the virus, a list of preventative measures to mitigate the spread, and a compilation of city resources, including food access sites.
Dear Residents,
This is a difficult time for our families, our friends, our neighborhoods and our communities. As a City, now is the time to come together, and look out for one another. I want to explain what the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic means for you and your family, and how you help stop the spread of the virus in Boston.
We’re urging people to exercise caution and take care of themselves. There are simple things everyone can do that will make a big difference:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.Avoid shaking hands.Cover your coughs and sneezes into your elbow or with a tissue.Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Please remember what social distancing involves: avoid crowds of any kind, and keep a distance of at least 6 feet from other people when you’re out.If you think you are sick, call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line. We’re asking people to call first, before going to the emergency rooms so our ERs don’t get overwhelmed.We’re also asking people not to call 911 unless they have a medical emergency. Boston EMS does not conduct testing for COVID-19.What I want people to remember is that it’s not just about keeping yourself healthy. By taking these precautions, you’re also helping to keep our entire city healthy. And most importantly, you’re helping to keep the most vulnerable people in our community safe: especially the elderly, and people with underlying medical issues.
In Boston, we’re taking this situation extremely seriously. Boston Public Schools are closed until at least May 4th. A list of meal pick up locations is attached for families who need to pick up meals for their children. We are following Governor Baker’s statewide emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon.
I thank everyone who’s helping us: the first responders and medical professionals, the families and neighbors, the teachers, the community leaders, and all who are showing what it means to be Boston strong. We’re doing all we can to keep Boston healthy and safe. On behalf of the city we love, thank you for doing your part.
Sincerely,
Mayor WalshNOTICE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL / LICENSING BOARD APRIL HEARINGSPlease be advised that the following Zoning Board of Appeal April Hearings have been canceled due to the ongoing COVID19 Public Health Emergency:
-April 7th, 2020 ZBA Hearing
-April 16th, 2020 ZBA Subcommittee Hearing
-April 28th, 2020 ZBA Hearing
To mitigate the spread of COVID19, public access to the Inspectional Services Dept offices at 1010 Massachusetts Ave is restricted to appointment only. Applicants requesting relief of the zoning or building code, or anyone inquiring about upcoming hearings, should email ISDBoardOfAppeal@boston. gov or call 617-635-4775.Find the city’s database of public notices and list of Zoning Board cases here.VIDEO: Free Meals and Chromebooks for StudentsThank you to all of the volunteers for your work this weekend!RESOURCES FOR STUDENTSChromebooksBoston Public Schools is closed until at least May 4 due to the coronavirus pandemic. We are providing Chromebooks to BPS Student who do not have consistent access to a computer at home.
Request a Chromebook for BPS students here.
Follow BPS updates on Coronavius here.Free MealsWith Boston Public Schools closed to students starting on Tuesday, March 17, the City of Boston will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all Boston students.
Find and search the meal sites map here.
Find the full list of meal sites here.
PARKING ENFORCEMENT CHANGESResident Parking
Residents with a valid resident permit sticker will be allowed to park in a metered or two-hour parking space, without having to adhere to the time limit or pay a meter fee, within their specific neighborhood. For cars without the relevant resident permit parking sticker, standard time limit and meter requirements remain in place.
Street Cleaning
BTD has not been ticketing and towing for street cleaning, given challenges to finding alternative places to park in neighborhoods.
Inspection Stickers and Registration
BTD will not ticket for expired inspection stickers or registrations, given potential challenges for people to renew inspections and registrations at this time.
Parking Garages
To support the medical community, BTD has identified facilities offering free, reduced rate or reserved parking for medical professionals. To receive discounted parking, medical staff will need to present a hospital ID.To see the list of participating facilities, please visit here.
BlueBikes
The City of Boston and its municipal partners of Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville are offering all hospital staff a free 30-day pass for our public bike share, Bluebikes. To learn more about how to sign up for the program, visit here.
With the exception of those changes noted above, BTD will continue to enforce parking violations, with a focus on public safety violations, such as blocking a hydrant, sidewalk or handicap ramp.MAYOR WALSH ADDRESSES SMALL BUSINESSESRESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSESMayor Walsh announced new resources available for small businesses in Boston impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus). All resources have been created through the City’s Office of Economic Development, and are available online on boston.gov/small-business or under the Local Resources “Economic Development Response” on boston.gov/coronavirus.
To help small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, BTD is creating temporary pick up zones in front of restaurants that have transitioned to takeout and delivery only. Takeout food pickup zones restrict parking to five minutes to increase convenience for the quick pickup and delivery of takeout food from restaurants, and provide adequate room for social distancing of six feet or more. Restaurants that would like to request a temporary pick up zone can do so here. Requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.STAY UPDATEDGET UPDATES VIA TEXT MESSAGESThe Mayor’s Office of Language and Communication Access announced text messages are now available in multiple languages. Residents can text BOSCOVID to 99411 to opt-in to alerts in English and the following keywords to opt-in to alerts in the languages below:
Text BOSEspanol to 99411 for Spanish
Text BOSKreyol to 99411 for Haitian Creole
Text BOSFrancais to 99411 for French
Text BOSKriolu to 99411 for Cabo Verdean Creole
Text BOSPortugues to 99411 for PortugueseGUIDES & RESOURCESConstruction in the
City of BostonMayor Walsh is extending the City of Boston’s order to pause non-essential construction for City of Boston permitted sites. This is done to stem the current public health crisis and support the health of workers in the City. Read the temporary guidance for construction. Resource Guide for Boston’s ResidentsWe have information about services for Boston residents affected by COVID-19, regardless of immigration status.
Read more.BPHC: Coping with Stress Due to COVID-19Guides:
Coping with Stress Due to COVID-19
Cleaning & Disinfecting Guide for COVID-19
Fact Sheets on COVID-19:
English | 中文 | Kreyòl Ayisyen
Português | Español | Tiếng Việt
Posters on COVID-19:
English | 中文 | Español | Vietmese
Boston Fire: Do Not Mix Cleaning Items (see list)We collected you guidance and tips below from the City of Boston, Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
– Do not mix cleaning products
– Guidance from the CDC
– Social distancing tips
STAY CONNECTEDMayor Walsh: Twitter | Instagram
City of Boston: Twitter | Instagram
Boston Public Health Commission: Twitter | Instagram
For questions about Coronavirus “COVID-19”, please call 3-1-1 for the Mayor’s 24/7 Hotline.
For updates on specific neighborhood events or meetings, please contact your Neighborhood Liaison at the Mayor’s the Office of Neighborhood Services.Can’t see the email? Display this email in your browser
1 City Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02201, United States
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