HANSON — Town Administrator John Stanbrook and Hanson town officials would like to inform residents that the town has declared a state of emergency in an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronvirus (COVID-19).
At this time, there are no known positive or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Hanson.
The Town has declared a local state of emergency and has activated its Emergency Management Team to follow to this situation closely and provide any necessary updates.
The Town’s Emergency Management Team and the Board of Health will continue to work closely and meet regularly to discuss the latest guidance and determine the actions needed to keep the Town prepared as this situation continues to evolve.
Effective immediately, the following steps will be taken in the Town of Hanson:
• Town buildings, including Town Hall, Council on Aging Senior Center, Town Library and schools are closed to the public until further notice.
• All public meetings, except the next Board of Selectmen meeting on March 17, will be cancelled or postponed to a later date and likely for the foreseeable future.
• All Town parks and fields will be closed to organized groups until further notice.
• All functions at Camp Kiwanee or Thomas Mill will be postponed indefinitely.
• The Whitman-Hanson Regional School District has cancelled school and school activities until at least April 6, 2020. During this time, each school building will undergo deep cleaning and disinfecting. Whitman-Hanson students that need food services will be able to go to the high school, beginning today, daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the snack shack area which is in front of the Performing Arts center. Grab and go breakfast and lunch meals will be available. Students will need to provide their student ID number and this program will be handled as it is during a regular day. This is the only time a school building will be open to any member of the public.
• The Meals on Wheels program will continue to provide its services as needed.
• All Police and Fire services will continue as usual, however, we ask residents to call the department business lines for routine business and avoid coming into the police and fire stations to limit the spread of the virus.
• The Board of Health will be enforcing Gov. Baker’s Order banning all on-premises consumption of food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages at the Town’s restaurants and bars effective at midnight on Tuesday, March 17. Only takeout and delivery of food will be permitted until at least 11:59 p.m. on April 5. Any establishment that violates the governor’s order will be subject to applicable license revocations by the Board of Selectmen.
• The Police Department and the Board of Health will be enforcing Gov. Baker’s order banning all gatherings of 25 people or more effective at midnight on March 17. This order is in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. on April 5. All food establishments must implement a plan for social distancing during takeout food order operations. These actions will slow the spread of the virus.
• The Transfer Station will remain open at this time.
These measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution so that the spread of the virus can be minimized and to promote social distancing. Your cooperation in this endeavor will be much appreciated.
Residents can log on to the Town’s website at www.hanson-ma.gov to get Town department phone numbers or e-mail addresses and for the latest updates as it relates to Hanson.
The Town’s public servants stand ready to answer any questions that you may have or to give out more information as it becomes available.
The state has also set up the phone number, 211, to answer questions that residents may have concerning this pandemic.
The Board of Selectmen is confident that together, working in concert with the community, Hanson will be able to help stem the spread of this virus.