Recommendations for Public Meetings During the COVID Pandemic issued by the Board of Health

Recommendations for Public Meetings During the COVID Pandemic 

The Health Agent put together guidelines that the Boards and Committees in Town may use for Public Attendance at their meetings. These are recommendations only based on policies put forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 

1) All meeting members and attendees must wear face coverings. 

2) All meeting members and attendees should maintain 6' of social distancing. Where the distancing is compromised in any way, there should be less than 15 minutes of less than 6’ proximity. 

3) Hand sanitizer should be available to all meeting members and attendees.

4) Attendees should have a designated seat and not be standing. Any attendee that requests to make a statement at the respective meeting should do so only in the pre-arranged area or podium provided. If pictures are requested for the press or other reasons, prior accommodations should be approved in writing and done before the meeting begins. This is to avoid the distraction of a photographer compromising the social distancing of the members and attendees during the meeting. Screenshots of the meeting via Zoom are encouraged.

5) Attendees are required to sign their name and telephone number on a list provided at the meeting's entrance. This is to facilitate contact tracing in the event it is required. 

Again, these are just recommendations and any adjudicatory board or commission may enact temporary rules regarding COVID 19 compliance (see attached).

Please call the Health Department with any questions at 508-979-4023 ext. 125.