Schools closed through March 20; Library, Senior Center closed until further notice
1. Lynnfield Public Schools closed through March 20
STATEMENT FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JANE TREMBLAY:
My first priority is always the safety of our students and adults in our schools. As we deal with COVID-19 the one thing that I think we can all agree on is: there are far too many unknowns right now- that is changing literally by the minute. So I think it is time to stop, pause, take a breathe and regroup. I am going to close the schools for a week. We definitely will be closed starting tomorrow, there will be no school tomorrow and we will remain closed through March 20.
I will continue to work closely with our Emergency Management Team, local and state officials as well as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to plan for after March 20.
I will be in touch with our families and the community by Thursday, March 19 to discuss plans moving forward.
2. The Lynnfield Senior Center is closed to public until further notice
Due to the vulnerability of the population age 60 and over to the COVID-19 virus, the Lynnfield Senior Center will be closed until further notice. This decision was made not due to any reported exposure to the virus by anyone associated with the Senior Center, but to assist in the prevention of the spread of the virus within vulnerable segments of the population. The Senior Center staff will remain available by phone during normal Senior Center hours to assist Lynnfield seniors. Call (781) 598-1078.
3. The Lynnfield Public Library is closed as of 9:00 p.m. today until further notice
For the same reasons as above, the Lynnfield Public Library is closed until further notice and all library programs scheduled during the period of closure are canceled. The Library staff will be on hand to assist residents by phone and email during regular library hours. Call (781) 334-5411 or (781)334-6404 or email lfd@noblenet.org.
4. Emergency management planning is ongoing
Members of the Lynnfield Emergency Management team, including the town administrator, the school superintendent, the health director, and the chiefs of the police and fire departments, are meeting every morning to discuss new information from local and state agencies and the local community in order to implement any necessary measures by all Town departments. We are regularly consulting with state officials and officials from other communities to share information and strategies to best keep our residents safe.
The Town has implemented additional cleaning and disinfecting protocols for shared surfaces such as doors, washrooms and counters to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other transmissible diseases in Town buildings.
Families of school-aged children are encouraged to continue to keep their children home if they show any signs of illness, including the common cold or flu-like symptoms. Parents and guardians should also remember to contact their school if their child will be absent due to illness.
Residents should also follow the general advice for prevention of transmission of disease, including frequent hand-washing. Those with specific conditions and concerns should consult with their health care provider.
6. Keeping the community informed
This information will be shared through notices via the Town’s website at www.town.lynnfield.ma.us and the Town’s Facebook page. Residents are urged to sign up for all e-mail notifications by clicking the “Subscribe to Alerts” button on the Town website’s front page. The Town’s most important alerts will also be sent via the CodeRed alert system. Residents are urged to visit the Town website and click on the CodeRed logo to ensure that you receive all these important updates as well. School families will also continue to receive school-related updates through the Connect Ed system.
For important information on the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, including state and national advice on all aspects of the pandemic, please visit the Lynnfield Emergency Management webpage at https://www.town.lynnfield.ma.us/emergency-management