BAKER EXTENDS STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS TO MAY 18

Source: mass.gov and amherstma.gov

Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday extended his original stay-at-home orders until at least May 18. All businesses and organizations not providing “COVID-19 Essential Services” will remain closed and events with more than 10 people will continue to be prohibited. He also extended an advisory that residents stay at home for public safety whenever possible. The previous stay-at-home orders were set to expire on May 10. 

Baker acknowledged that people are anxious for things to return to normal but that the imposed closures, along with the closing of schools for the remainder of the academic year and non-emergency child care closures until June 29, are necessary for public safety.

Baker is planning a phased re-opening of the economy and has appointed an advisory board, made up mostly of leaders from the business community, to help devise and implement that plan. 

Amherst Closings
Municipal buildings in the Town of Amherst, including the Town Hall, Bangs Center, and the Jones Library and branches will continue to be closed to the public, with the earliest possible reopening May 18. Town Manager Paul Bockelman initially closed municipal buildings after declaring a State of Emergency on March 16.

Play structures, golf courses, basketball and other courts, and bathrooms will also remain closed until at least May 18.

• No organized sporting programs authorized to use Town or School fields or courts.
• No group use of fields, courts, or other public spaces is permitted and individuals in public places must abide by proper social distancing and physical spacing.
• All Town and School play structures remain closed.
• All comfort stations remain closed.
• Due to reduced staffing levels, visitors are asked to pack out trash.
• Cherry Hill Golf Course is closed for golfing.
• Beaches at Puffers Pond are closed. Individuals or groups are prohibited from settling or congregating on the North and South Beaches of Puffers Pond. Transitory pedestrian use (walking, jogging, biking, solitary fishing, etc.) will be permitted as long as recommended social distancing is observed. Police will patrol this area for compliance. Parking is limited.
  

While the Town’s trails and State rail-trail remain open and have seen increased use, the Town recommends that people:

• Stay within solitary or very small groups and avoid gatherings of ten or more people.
• Practice physical distancing of at least six feet between individuals.
• Practice healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds.
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population.

All parking enforcement of metered parking will continue to be suspended with the exception of violations of handicapped parking spaces, tow zones, and overnight restrictions during a snow emergency.

To ensure Town government can continue to provide key services while protecting the health and safety of the public and the Town’s workforce, designated Town employees performing non-core functions who are able to work remotely will continue to do so until May 18th.

Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person to person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.

Members of the public are encouraged to conduct business online by visiting the Town’s website to submit a service request or to make payments online. You may contact the various staff and departments by phone or by email by visiting the staff directory here.

Any payments, forms, or documents that need to be submitted to the Town, and cannot be transmitted electronically, can be deposited in the Treasurer/Collector’s dropbox on the Main Street side of Amherst Town Hall or mailed to 4 Boltwood Avenue Amherst, MA 01002. The Town Manager’s Office can be reached by phone at (413) 259-3002 or by email at townmanager@amherstma.gov