UPDATE (March 26, 2020):
City Hall and All Municipal Buildings to Remain Closed to the Public until May 4, 2020
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has announced that out of an abundance of caution due to the current public health emergency and the evolving concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the City of Springfield will extend the period in which City Hall and all municipal buildings will remain closed to the public until Monday, May 4, 2020.
Governor Baker announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, that his administration was taking new actions in support of the state’s ongoing COVID-19 response to mitigate the spread of the virus, by extending the closure order of all schools across the Commonwealth until May 4, 2020.
UPDATE (March 25, 2020):
City of Springfield's COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Situational Update
All city services continue to operate and serve the public’s needs. Imperative City services go beyond public safety and health care. Birth and death certificates still need to be issued, municipal lien certificates still need to be produced in order for house closings, payroll and benefits still need to be administered for City employees, IT services need to be available to assist employees working remotely.
Those things considered, all city employees continue to provide essential city services under modified schedules, which include working remotely, alternating days working on site, or any combination, which has been determined as appropriate by the department head where services can continue with minimum interruptions.
UPDATE (March 24, 2020):
City of Springfield Office of Planning & Economic Development Resources
The City of Springfield’s Office of Planning & Economic Development will continue to update their dedicated COVID-19 Business Resources page with information, resources, and guidance for businesses here.
UPDATE (March 23, 2020):
Governor Baker Issues Order for Non-Essential Services and Workplaces to Shutdown and Advisory on Non-essential Travel
Governor Baker issued an emergency order 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 remotely.
The Order also prohibits the gatherings of more than 10 people.
The Governor also issued an Advisory asking people to avoid any non-essential traveling and stay at home.
Click here for the full list of categories of “COVID-19 Essential Services”
Click here for a copy of the Emergency Order
Click here for a copy of the Guidance of Assemblages
UPDATE (March 19, 2020):
City of Springfield Issues New Public Health Emergency Recommendations
Following up on Governor Baker’s order to close all daycares and childcare centers across the Commonwealth, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, upon the recommendation of Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, is strongly encouraging other venues to voluntarily adhere to and follow these Public Health Emergency recommendations by taking precautionary measures needed.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the city is reminding everyone to adhere to the social distancing recommendations and asking that certain venues take the precautionary measures needed during these public health emergency times by voluntarily discontinuing services. The city is asking that barber shops, salons, hairdressers, tattoo and piercing studios, massage parlors and spas, and nail salons all take the precautionary measures during these public health emergency times and voluntarily discontinue services as to adhere to the social distancing guidelines of remaining at least six (6) feet apart.
We must continue to strike a balance between serious health concerns and the nature of doing business. The City of Springfield must do our very best to stay ahead of this growing concern to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
The City of Springfield will continue to monitor the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) situation. The city is committed to keeping our residents and business community informed about the latest developments. To stay up-to-date on all the latest information we encourage everyone to visit the City’s website at www.springfield-ma.gov.
The City of Springfield has a dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update webpage that is continually updated with new information and developments from our health experts, the city, the state, federal government and other important agencies and organizations.
UPDATE (March 18, 2020):
City of Springfield's Planning and Economic Development Office - Restaurant Grant Program
The City of Springfield has launched a grant program aimed to assist our local restaurants during these challenging times by making available, funds to help restaurant businesses that seek to reorganize their service delivery operations to meet the public health restrictions and retain their existing employees to degree possible. Qualifying restaurants can apply for up to $15,000 to help with these expenses.
For more information and details on how to apply, please contact the city’s Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan at (413) 787-6024 or tsheehan@springfieldcityhall.com.
Western Mass Economic Development Council has provided a dedicated site listing available resources from both the state and community partners.
https://www.westernmassedc.com/about-us/covid-19-resources/
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance to Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital for small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Hampden County has been identified as an eligible region.
Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.
For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.
For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.
UPDATE (March 17, 2020): Governor Baker Announces Small Business Recovery Loan Fund
The Baker-Polito Administration announced economic support for small businesses with a $10 million loan fund to provide financial relief to those that have been affected by COVID-19.
The $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first 6 months. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has capitalized the fund and will administer it.
How to Apply:
Please complete the application found on MGCC’s website, EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org.
Completed applications can be sent via email to mgcc@massgcc.com with the subject line “2020 Small Business Recovery Loan Fund”.
MGCC can be reached by email: mgcc@massgcc.com
Loan Fund Details:
- Who Qualifies: Open to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits (negative impact must be verifiable).
- Terms and Conditions: This fund is being offered with no payments due for the first 6 months, then 30-months of principal and interest payments and no prepayment penalties.
- Businesses can apply for loans up to $75,000.
UPDATE (March 16, 2020): City Hall and All Municipal Buildings to Close to Public
Due to the evolving concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 – Coronavirus and out of an abundance of caution, the City of Springfield has announced that it will be closing City Hall and all other municipal buildings to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020 until April 5, 2020.
Governor Baker announced Sunday evening, March 15, 2020, Emergency Actions to help address the potential spread of COVID-19. As such, the City of Springfield will adhere to these actions by strictly following the public health recommendations of social distancing guidelines and limiting public gatherings to 25 people or less.
At this time, all City of Springfield employees will continue to report to work as directed and under the discretion of their managers. Departments will remain open in a modified aspect.
The City of Springfield will continue to maintain all essential functions and services. Residents are encouraged to conduct their city related business remotely when possible by utilizing our 311 Call Center at (413) 736-3111 and our website at www.springfield-ma.gov. Individuals encountering urgent, time-sensitive situations requiring the attention of City of Springfield staff are advised to contact the appropriate department to determine if an accommodation can be made.
UPDATE (March 13, 2020): City of Springfield Declares State of Emergency
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno today declared a state of emergency in the City of Springfield to mitigate any potential spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result the following actions have been taken by the city:
- Springfield Public Schools are temporarily closed
- Springfield Senior Centers are temporarily closed
- Springfield Public Libraries are temporarily closed
- Large assemblies over 250 people or more are temporarliy canceled
UPDATE (March 11, 2020): Springfield Public Schools update and FAQ's
https://www.springfieldpublicschools.com/news/News/coronavirus_update
UPDATE (March 10, 2020): Baystate Health has established a dedicated web page to provide accurate and timely information and recommendations regarding COVID-19
UPDATE (March 4, 2020): Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health - Revised CDC guidance regarding returning travelers from Level 2 and 3 countries
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced revised guidance regarding travelers to Level 2 and 3 countries returning to the US and recommended procedures for reducing the risk of transmission of the virus associated with COVID-19). The CDC link is also here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers (click on the travel notice beside each country).
Change in guidance for returnees from Level 2 and 3 countries:
- Returning travelers from Level 3 countries other than China and Iran (currently Italy and South Korea) are asked to self-quarantine (“stay home") for 14 days since the date of entry to the United States and self-monitor for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ) will NOT be providing traveler information on returnees from these countries to states. DPH will NOT be asking local health departments to educate these travelers on self-quarantine nor actively monitor these individuals during their 14-day quarantine period.
- Returning travelers from Level 2 countries (currently Japan) are asked to limit contact with others and self-monitor for symptoms. DGMQ will NOT be providing traveler information on returnees from level 2 countries to states. DPH will NOT be asking local health departments to educate these travelers on self-monitoring.
Reminder of guidance already in place:
Foreign nationals may not travel from China or Iran to the United States. US residents returning from these countries will continue to be identified for state health departments by DGMQ and DPH will continue to request local health department assistance in monitoring these returnees and supporting them to self-quarantine for 14 days.
CDC recommends everyone avoid all non-essential travel to Level 3 countries (currently China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea) and that older individuals and those with chronic health conditions avoid non-essential travel to Level 2 countries (currently Japan).
Travelers with questions should call the 24/7 Epi Line: 617-983-6800. DPH will be conducting weekly conference calls with local boards of health starting next week. Call information will be forthcoming.
The Department will share further guidance as it becomes available.
The City of Springfield encourages you to check out the following information from the State of Massachusetts and the CDC:
- Health Alert: Travelers from Wuhan, China
- MA Department of Public Health Memo- Coronavirus
- MDPH Coronavirus webpage
- MDPH Fact Sheets for Patients and Translations
- CDC Coronavirus Landing Page
- Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers Webpage on COVID-19
The new MDPH website provides relevant up-to-date information on the state of the novel coronavirus for all residents: mass.gov/2019coronavirus.
Additional details and guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, is available from the CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
Fact Sheets from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health can be found here.
Springfield Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention