COVID-19 Information

Update regarding the COVID-19 vaccination

Please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/when-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine#phase-1- to find out when you are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccination. 


TEMPORARY EXECUTIVE ORDER 

December 26, 2020-January 24, 2021

To address the surge of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has issued a temporary Executive Order.

The temporary Executive Order will outline the following measures that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26th and will continue until Sunday, January 10th, with a possibility of an extension of another week based upon available data.

This pause will reduce allowable occupancy from current capacity levels of 40% to 25% in multiple sectors.

  • Notably, this capacity limit will now apply to restaurants. Capacity will be set at 25% of pre-COVID seating capacity and distancing between tables and other requirements will remain in place. Indoor and Outdoor seating capacity must be calculated separately (rather than combining them).
  • Small spaces (such as personal services) and other spaces without clear occupancy standards may use 5 people / 1000 square feet as an alternative to the 25% occupancy .
  • The 25% limit will not apply to manufacturing, laboratories, drive in movie theaters, or construction
  • Employees/staff are exempted from the capacity count
  • Limits at indoor event venues are being reduced to 10 people. 
  • Limits at outdoor event venues are being reduced to 25 people.
  • Current limits at private residences remain the same (10 indoors and 25 outdoors)
  • Limits at movie theaters will be reduced to 25% (no more than 50 people per theater)
  • Limits outdoor performance venues will remain 25% (with the max number reduced to 25 from 50).
  • Office spaces will be required to reduce capacity to 25%, but there will continue to be allowances for offices with “critical services”, such as public safety, public health, and other critical services. There is no approval required for these exemptions. 
  • K-12 schools continue to be exempted from these capacity limits and will need to follow DESE standards and guidelines. 

Please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information for additional information.

Sector

Current Capacity Limit

New Limit

Construction 

None

None

Drive-In Movie Theaters 

None

None

Laboratories 

None

None

Manufacturing 

None

None

Restaurants

None

25% of seating capacity

Close Contact Personal Services 

None

25%

Indoor and Outdoor Events

25 indoor / 50 outdoor

10 indoor / 25 outdoor

Theaters and Performance Venues

Movie theaters – 40%, max 50 ppl
Indoor perf venues – Closed
 Outdoor perf venues – 25%, max 50 ppl

Movie theaters – 25%, max 50 ppl

Indoor perf venues – Closed

Outdoor perf venues – 25%, max 25 ppl

Office Spaces

40%

25%

Places of Worship

40%

25%

Retail Businesses

40%

25%

Driving and Flight Schools

40%

25%

Golf Facilities

40%

25%

Libraries

40%

25%

Operators of Lodgings

40%

25%

Arcades & Other Indoor & Outdoor Recreation Businesses

40%

25%

Fitness Centers and Health Clubs

40%

25%

Museums / Cultural & Historical Facilities / Guided Tours

40%

25%

Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed

40%

25%


FREE COVID-19 TESTING AT THE STONEHAM HIGH SCHOOL FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND TOWN EMPLOYEES

On Saturday, December 19th and Sunday, December 20th Stoneham residents and Town employees can take advantage of free COVID-19 testing at the Stoneham High School. These drive-thru events, coordinated by the Town of Stoneham, will be facilitated by Action Ambulance Service.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents over age two can participate at this drive-thru event on Franklin Street. There will be no charge for this less invasive PCR test, but a photo ID showing residency will be required for adults over 18. 

Participants are required to preregister at https://ActionEMSCovidsheduler.as.me/. Preregistration and time selection is done to help control the flow of patients; it is not is not a guarantee of a specific appointment time. 

Participants should note the following:

  • Free testing will be performed on Stoneham residents over the age of age two. A photo ID will be required for those over 18.
  • Participants do not need to be symptomatic to be tested.
  • This is a drive-thru event. Participants will not leave their vehicles.
  • Facial coverings must be worn when interacting with staff during the intake process.
  • Preregistration is required. 
  • Information about what to do while waiting for test results can be read at http://www.mass.gov/wait4results. You must isolate if you are symptomatic or quarantine if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

Test results are typically received in two-to-three days. Questions about the event can be directed to the Stoneham Health Department at (781) 279-2621. 

For those looking for alternate free testing sites, visit http://www.mass.gov/stopthespread.

 

FREE COVID-19 TESTING AT THE STONEHAM SENIOR CENTER FOR RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER

On Monday, December 21st, there will be a COVID-19 testing event at the Stoneham Senior Center for residents aged 65 and older from 9 am-12 pm. 

There will be no charge for this less invasive PCR test, but a photo ID showing residency will be required for adults over 18. 

Participants are required to preregister at https://ActionEMSCovidsheduler.as.me/. Preregistration and time selection is done to help control the flow of patients; it is not is not a guarantee of a specific appointment time. 

Participants should note the following:

  • A photo ID will be required to show proof of residency.  
  • Participants do not need to be symptomatic to be tested.
  • Facial coverings must be worn when interacting with staff during the intake process.
  • Preregistration is required. 
  • Information about what to do while waiting for test results can be read at http://www.mass.gov/wait4results. You must isolate if you are symptomatic or quarantine if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. 
  • If you need assistance registering, please call Maureen at (781) 438-1157. 

Test results are typically received in two-to-three days. Questions about the event can be directed to the Stoneham Health Department at (781) 279-2621. 

For those looking for alternate free testing sites, visit http://www.mass.gov/stopthespread.