Business

Info on Town Services, Closures & Supporting Local Businesses in the Town Manager’s COVID-19 Update

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Watertown Town Hall

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s office:

Essential Services Order

Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4th. On March 31st, The Commonwealth updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list, which is based on federal guidance that was updated earlier this week. While these businesses are designated as essential, they are urged to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH).

Around Town

Gov. Baker Gives Estimates for COVID-19 Cases in State, Beach Parking Closing

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Massachusetts will see between 47,000 to 172,000 cases of Coronavirus during the outbreak, according to the latest models. Gov. Charlie Baker discussed the figures during an update on COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon. Those numbers would be 0.7 to 2.5 percent of the state’s population, and the peak is expected to occur between April 10 and 20, according to a WBZ Channel 4 story. As of Thursday, Massachusetts had 8,966 cases and 154 people have died, according to the Mass. Department of Public Health.

Government

Congresswoman Clark Hosting Telephone Town Hall on the CARES Act

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark will be hosting a teleconferenced town hall about the CARES Act. The following announcement was provided by Congresswoman Clark’s office:

This week, on Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, I will be hosting a telephone town hall about the CARES Act, the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) relief bill signed into law to help families, workers, hospitals, and businesses during this national emergency.I will be available to answer questions about the different types of aid available to Massachusetts residents, including direct cash payments for eligible constituents, expanded unemployment assistance, and new relief for affected local businesses non-profits. You can join the town hall by dialing in at 1 (844) 734-8764. If you are not able to join the call but have a question or need assistance, please reach out to my district office. As we continue working together in Washington to help all our communities during this difficult time, it is so important that those in need know how to access the new resources that are being made available to them.

Business

Gov. Baker Extends Closing of Non-Essential Businesses, New Cases Up More than 800

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Gov. Charlie Baker announced that non-essential businesses would remain closed in Massachusetts through May 4 in an effort to control the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The announcement came before the announcement of the lastest statistics for the impact of COVID-19 in Massachusetts on Tuesday. The Mass. Department of Public Health announced 33 more deaths from the virus, brining the total to 89. Massachusetts has 868 new postive cases for a total of 6,620.

Business

See What Programs the CARES Act Has for Businesses, Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19

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The Federal government unveiled the the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act which will help business of all sizes, and has special programs for small businesses and private non-profits. The legislation passed by Congress last week and signed by President Trump provides programs to help retain employees, gives grants and loans to businesses negatively impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak

The Payroll Protection Program offers loans to businesses that maintain their payroll during the Coronavirus emergency. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees can qualify. The Small Business Debt Relief Program gives loans to businesses. Loans can up to $5.5 million, and there are also micro loans of up to $50,000.

Around Town

State Seeks Donations of Protective Equipment, Health Volunteers; Number of New Cases Lower

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Massachusetts officials will be taking donations of personal protection equipment (PPE), and seeks health professional volunteers to assist during the Coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the creation of the PPE Procurement and Donation Portal on Sunday. The state seeks donations of a variety of things, including: surgical masks, N95/99 respirator masks, gloves, goggles, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. See the entire list and how to donate by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/covid-19-donation-program. The state needs help dealing with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19.

Around Town

Coronavirus Cases Grow by 33% in Mass., Up in Watertown; FEMA Will Provide Assistance

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On the same day that Massachusetts had its largest increase in positive Coronavirus cases, FEMA announced it will make disaster assistance to the Bay State to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. Watertown also saw its positive cases grow by three. In Watertown, the cases increased from 24 to 27 in one day, according to the total provided on the Watertown Health Department’s website, and Middlesex County now has 847 cases. Massachusetts had 1,017 more cases and nine more deaths, according to according to Mass. Department of Public’s latest COVID-19 update on Saturday.

Business

Many Watertown Restaurants Open During COVID-19, See the List Compiled by the Town & a Local Business Group

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Looking for a restaurant in Watertown to pick up food or have a meal delivered, check out the list compiled by the Watertown Business Coalition and the Town of Watertown. A few restaurants have closed temporarily during the Coronavirus outbreak, but most remain open for take out and, in many cases, delivery. You can call to order, some restaurants take orders on their website, or through food delivery apps such as Grub Hub, Doordash or Uber Eats. Town officials sent out the following statement:

In order to track what restaurants and other food establishments are open during this challenging and unprecedented time, the Town of Watertown has coordinated with the Watertown Business Coalition to compile and keep an up to date list of food establishments. We will continue to update the list with missing establishments and changes to current status for takeout and delivery.