Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order Monday (March 23) 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. These businesses are encouraged to continue operations … Read more

Three men – two in their 70s from Hampden and Berkshire counties and a third man in his 90s from Suffolk County– have died from COVID-19-related illness, bringing the total number of deaths from the novel coronavirus in Massachusetts to five, the Mass. Dept. of Public Health announced Sunday (March 22). All three men were … Read more

By SCOTT JACKSON City Councillors on Friday set aside $500,000 for Quincy’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including funds to purchase personal protective equipment for first responders, acquire a tent for a mobile testing facility if needed, and overtime pay for the city’s public nurses and other personnel. Councillors voted 9-0 in favor of the … Read more

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Building has been closed to the public, Register of Deeds William O’Donnell announced March 20th. In a message emailed March 20, O’Donnell said: “The various entities housed within the Registry of Deeds Building are operating with their own employees. The Registry of Deeds operations in-house continues. Documents are being … Read more

Governor Baker Friday (March 20th) dispelled widespread rumors that a “shelter-in-place” order would be issued imminently for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Residents are, however, encouraged to stay home and work from home when possible and practice safe “social distancing” practices. All personal care businesses, including barbers, hair salons, nail salons, massage parlors, tattoo studios, gyms … Read more

A man in his 80s from Suffolk County is the first person in Massachusetts to die from COVID-19 related illness, the Department of Public Health announced Friday (March 20). The man had been hospitalized and had pre-existing health conditions that put him at higher risk for COVID-19. To date, 3,132 residents of Massachusetts have been … Read more

The Boston Archdiocese announced the following updated guidelines March 19th due the impact of the coronavirus outbreak: All Masses and religious services that would normally be open to the public in all Archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries are suspended until further notice. Confirmations scheduled to take place in the Archdiocese of Boston prior to … Read more

Based on the personal distancing guidelines set by state and federal governments amid the COVID-19 virus outbreak, Mayor Thomas Koch and Public Health Commissioner Ruth Jones ordered the closure of all hair salons, massage facilities, nail salons and tattoo studios as of midnight on Friday, March 20.  The order also applies to gyms and fitness … Read more