Coronavirus (COVID-19)

GIVEN THE RAPIDLY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, WE WILL BE UPDATING THIS INFORMATION REGULARLY.

Health Guidance and Recommendations

According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

People with these symptoms or combination of symptoms may have COVID-19: Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or at least two of these symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, head ache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.

If you display symptoms or suspect that you have come into contact with a person who may be infected, please contact your Primary Care Physician immediately.

The Gloucester Health Department and the Mayor’s Office encourage the following precautions to prevent infectious diseases from spreading:

  • Wear a mask or face covering when entering an essential business or while out in public and unable to maintain a safe physical distance from others
  • Practice social distancing (remain at least 6 feet of distance between others)
  • Wash your hands frequently, with soap and water
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily
  • If you are sick, stay home to protect others

Emergency Orders

City Operations Information

Please visit City Operations Information for information on how the City will operate during COVID-19.

GLOUCESTER EMERGENCY ALERTS: If you want to receive Mayor Romeo Theken’s COVID-19 update calls - visit City of Gloucester’s Smart911 emergency notification system to sign up.

The City of Gloucester will be utilizing the Zoom platform for remote participation of public meetings.  For additional information please visit: Remote Public Meetings.

School Information

  • All Gloucester Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year.  Remote learning efforts will continue through the duration of the school year.
  • There is a "grab and go" bagged lunch and breakfast operation available for ALL students who are in need of a meal.  Curbside pick-up is available 2:30 - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, at Veteran’s Memorial and Beeman Elementary Schools.
  • During the school closure, children should not gather with others outside their family except if outside in very small numbers and maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet apart.  Everyone should refrain from play dates, sleepovers, etc.
  • Children should not be left with grandparents as this group is very susceptible to the virus.

Business Owner And Non-Profit Information

For Businesses affected by the closure please visit our Business Resources page.

Access to Food/Meals

The Open Door will be able to help bridge the grocery gap for families.

  • The Gloucester Food Pantry is open Monday - Friday, 10 am to 5 pm for curbside pick up only; clients are asked not to enter the building. If you work during these hours, or are quarantined and unable to pick up groceries, please call (978) 283-6776 or email gethelp@foodpantry.org.
  • Community Meals is available by take-out only, with curbside pick-up between 3-5 pm, Monday - Friday, with extra food provided on Fridays for the weekend. For those unable to pick up at the pantry, please call (978) 283-6776 x 204 by 3 pm to arrange a deliver by a volunteer.  Leave your name, phone number, address, and the number of meals requested.  You must call each day that you need a meal.

SeniorCare is continuing to provide services in Gloucester.

  • If you know of an elder that is home bound, has no one to cook for them and/or can not prepare a meal themselves, have them sign up for Meals On Wheels by calling SeniorCare at (978) 281-1750.

Other Community Information

  • Effective Monday, May 4, 2020 CATA is modifying its weekday bus schedule to accommodate changes in customer travel patterns, provide more consistent service and sustain appropriate social distancing.  Saturday service will run on a regular Saturday schedule, with exception of the Mall Bus.  The modified weekly schedule is available by visiting Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
  • Market Basket, Shaw’s and Stop & Shop have implemented "Senior Shopping Hours" for customers 60 and older.  Please check with your preferred store for their hours as they may change. 
  • All playgrounds are closed until further notice.  Please do not engage in sports or activities (i.e. baseball, softball, football, basketball, soccer, etc.) that require physical or shared contact.
  • There is currently no on-premise consumption at any local restaurants.  Take-out and delivery options are available throughout the City.  For a list of participating establishments visit: Community-supporting-community-local-restaurants-offer-take-out-options.

State Updates

  • For a complete list of updates, emergency orders, and guidance associated with the COVID-19 State of Emergency please visit Mass.gov.
  • If you or someone you know has lost their job due to COVID-19 sign up for a virtual town hall on unemployment benefits.  For additional information or to register for an upcoming meeting please visit the Department of Unemployment Assistance.

Want to Help?

There are a number of ways to help out.

  • For volunteer opportunities for health professionals: visit Mass.gov. 
  • To donate or sell personal protective equipment: visit Mass.gov.
  • To schedule an appointment to donate blood: visit Red Cross.  
  •  To donate to The Open Door’s Virtual Food Drive: visit The Open Door.
  • To donate to the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund: visit Action, Inc.

Beware of Scams

  • Protect yourself and beware of pandemic scammers.  The FBI urges vigilance during COVID-19 and has many available resources to help keep yourself and your family safe from these threats.  For more information visit: FBI.gov.

Communication Resources

COVID-19 Related News & Announcements

Videos



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