Coronavirus Updates
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UPDATES AND GUIDANCE
For up-to-the-minute information on COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The Trump Administration has launched a website to keep the public informed about the outbreak: coronavirus.gov
On March 28, 2020 the White House and FEMA announced that President Trump has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that will make federal disaster assistance available beyond what was included in the Emergency Declaration declared by President Trump on March 13. Read more here.
On March 27, 2020 President Trump signed the CARES Act. Information on the bill can be found here.
The Internal Revenue Service recently created a website that provides tips for taxpayers and tax pros. You can find that site here. The IRS also recently created FAQs regarding this year’s tax filing deadline extension. You can find that site here:
On March 23, 2020, all commercial labs are expected to receive guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS is urging all commercial labs to prioritize in-patient testing. The FDA has previously released guidance for clinical trials which can be viewed here.
Additionally, the CDC is expected to unveil new guidance for people working in law enforcement and first responders to make it possible for people who have been exposed to the virus to return to work (view). Travelers abroad are encouraged to visit the step.state.gov smart traveler program here. See the Trump Administration’s full remarks during a press briefing here.
On March 22, 2020 FEMA announced major disaster declarations for New York, California and Washington. The federal government will deploy supplied to the locations with the greatest need. Information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is available here.
On March 20, 2020 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across their border. A full list of travel restrictions and guidance can be found here.
The FDA approved emergency authorization of two new drug tests. See more information here.
Additionally, the President signed a bill to ensure that GI bill will cover distance learning during COVID-19. See the Veterans Benefits Administration info here.
On March 20, 2020 Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the deadline for filing federal tax returns will be postponed to July 15, 2020 because of the coronavirus outbreak. More can be found here.
On March 19, 2020 President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Act into law. It provides for supplemental appropriations related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as waivers and modifications of Federal nutrition programs, employment-related protections and benefits, health programs and insurance coverage requirements, and related tax credits during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We are currently in the process of analyzing what this new law will mean for Massachusetts residents, businesses and municipalities. Read more here. A summary of the health care changes included in the new law is here.
On March 18, 2020 the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Act.
On March 18, 2020 Senate Republicans also released an economic stimulus bill for coronavirus which Includes large corporate tax cuts, direct checks to taxpayers and limits on paid leave. A summary of the bill can be found here.
On March 18, 2020 the U.S. Small Business Administration issued a notice of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for all counties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts More information about what this declaration means can be found here. Applications can be filled out here.
Effective March 14, 2020 the CDC has issued a 30 day 'No Sail' order for any cruise ship which has not voluntarily suspended operations. The Coast Guard will assist the CDC in preventing cruise ships from embarking passengers in US ports. The Port of Boston does not currently have any cruise ship arrivals scheduled until April 17th, though will identify any cruise ships or vessels carrying 250 or more persons (passengers and crew) with an overnight itinerary, planning to embark passengers. Read more here.
On March 14, 2020 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) by a 363-40 vote. This legislation provides free coronavirus testing, secures paid emergency leave, enhances Unemployment Insurance, strengthens food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid funding to states. The bill now awaits U.S. Senate action, which is expected the week of March 16. A summary of the legislation can be found here.
On March 13, 2020 the President of the United States issued a proclamation declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak. The full proclamation can be found here.
STATE GOVERNMENT UPDATES AND GUIDANCE
For up-to-the-minute information on COVID-19 in Massachusetts, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) website: Information on the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
THE LEGISLATURE
On March 23, 2020, the Senate and House passed legislation to help protect public health by providing cities and towns the authority to postpone and reschedule certain municipal elections and related activities. The bill was signed by the Governor the same day. The House also issued orders to reschedule two special state elections until June 2, 2020. The Senate issued an order to reschedule two state special elections until May 19, 2020. The legislation includes guidelines for public notification of rescheduled election dates, voter registration deadlines, absentee ballots processing, and the display of sample ballots. The legislation allows municipal governments to postpone caucus or certain elections scheduled before May 30, 2020 and reschedule the caucus or elections to a date prior to June 30, 2020; and allows any eligible voter to vote early by mail for elections occurring before June 30, 2020. Read more here.
On March 22, 2020 Speaker DeLeo and I made the following announcement regarding our housing safety net: “The Senate and House are currently working on a bill to address evictions and foreclosures in light of the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation, which is currently being prepared, will provide a crucial safety net for renters and homeowners as we all grapple with the immediate economic fallout of this unprecedented public health pandemic.”
On March 19, 2020 I made an announcement regarding our upcoming municipal and special elections. You can read more here.
The Senate and House passed a bill on March 18, 2020 that waives the one-week waiting period for any person making a claim for unemployment benefits, if the unemployment is a result of any circumstances relating to or resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak or the effects of the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 10, 2020. Governor Baker signed it the same day. Read more here.
It was announced on March 17, 2020 that $5 million of the $15 million the Senate and House approved last week will go to our local Boards of Health to expand response capacity, as we had provided for in the bill.
On March 16, 2020 I joined Speaker DeLeo and Governor Baker to announce the creation of a $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund, which 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. Apply here.
Also, on March 16, 2020 I announced, along with Speaker DeLeo and Governor Baker, that the State House will be closed to the public effective at the close of business today through the duration of the State of Emergency. Access will be limited to legislators, the Governor, statewide Constitutional officers, designated employees and personnel, official guests, and members of the press. Please help get the word out!
On March 12, 2020, the Senate and House passed a supplemental budget to create a $15 million fund in response to the outbreak of COVID 19 cases in Massachusetts. The funds, held in reserve, will support the Commonwealth’s monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts against the 2019 novel coronavirus by the Department of Public Health, regional and local boards of health, and other public entities. Read more here.
I have appointed a Senate Working Group led by the Senate Chair of Public Health, Jo Comerford, to develop responses to the challenges we face in the Commonwealth as we move through this public health crisis. Our primary goal is to protect the health and well being of our residents, and identify areas where the Senate can take action to help residents, communities and businesses.
The state Senate also took steps to reduce the risk of Senate employees and the public by urging Senate offices to develop flexible staffing plans to reduce the number of people in the State House. The Senate also joined with the House in canceling or postponing all scheduled events. As of March 13, 2020 the State House remains open to the public, although we are urging Senators, staff and the public to convert in-person meetings to conference calls or virtual meetings for the time being.
The House and Senate are now streaming informal sessions online.
Stream Senate sessions here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Senate
Stream House sessions here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/House
THE BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION
On March 23, 2020 Governor Baker ordered non-essential businesses to cease in-person operations. The order can be viewed here, and a list of essential businesses can be viewed here. The governor reiterated that residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities. Read more here.
On March 20, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration announced new actions to support the ongoing COVID-19 response, including new financial support for health care providers, expanded relief for small businesses, and a new federal waiver request to give the state expanded flexibility to respond to the public health emergency. The Administration also joined life sciences leaders to highlight a new partnership aimed at providing additional supplies for hospitals. The Administration also announced new tax penalty relief for businesses, further action to limit the need for customers to visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles in person, and other initiatives to support the Commonwealth’s residents and communities throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more here.
On March 19, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration activated the Massachusetts National Guard to support the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a significant addition of supply chain resources available to the Commonwealth and its residents. Read more here.
At a March 19, 2020 press conference, Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 testing. He noted that by Saturday, March 21, Quest Diagnostics of Marlborough will be able to conduct 20,000 tests per day on samples sent in from all over the country, with results being released in three or four days. There will be no out-of-pocket testing charges for the 1.8 million Massachusetts individuals on Medicaid. The Governor’s executive order waiving that cost sharing also applies to commercial and GIC insurance in Massachusetts. By the beginning of the week of March 23, the Commonwealth hopes to be able to test 3,500 samples per day between state and commercial labs. The testing priority will be: (1) frontline health workers & first responders, and (2) hospitalized and sick individuals.
On March 18, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration announced a series of new measures to adapt childcare operations, enhance the Commonwealth’s healthcare system’s capacity, assist small businesses, and support unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more here.
As of March 17, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration will allow the use of telehealth across state lines and reciprocity for out-of-state physicians to increase residents' access to health care professionals. Read more here.
On March 15, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration Announced emergency actions to address COVID-19. The bills and guidance that Governor Baker outlined include the following. Read more here.
On March 14, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the creation of a COVID-19 Response Command Center led by Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Secretary Marylou Sudders. The Command Center will be the Commonwealth’s single point of strategic decision making and coordination for the Administration’s comprehensive COVID-19 response. The Command Center will have complete authority and discretion to tap whatever state funds are necessary, including the $15 million recently appropriated by the Legislature for coronavirus. The Command Center will also facilitate coordination and communication with key stakeholder groups like the CDC, FDA, cities and towns, the Legislature, local boards of public health, and others. You can read more here.
Also on March 14, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced new clinical protocols for COVID-19 testing. Updated protocols will expedite testing for patients with a range of symptoms and conditions as well as health care workers and emergency responders; MassHealth issues guidance to providers to ensure access to treatment including tele-health. Read more here.
On March 13, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration issued an emergency order prohibiting most gatherings of over 250 people in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The order includes, but is not limited to, the following events: community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, festivals, and any similar event or activity that brings together 250 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theatre, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. The Governor also directed the Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue guidance implementing the terms of the Emergency Order. The full DPH guidance is available here.
On March 12, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration issued an emergency order temporarily modifying the state’s Open Meeting Law in order to allow state, quasi and local governments to continue to carry out essential functions and operations during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This emergency order suspends the requirement for public access to the physical location where a public meeting is taking place, provided there are other means of access available, such as a phone conference line, social media or other internet streaming services, or on-line meeting services. Additionally, the order relieves the requirement that a quorum of members be physically present at a public meeting. During this period, members may all participate by remote or virtual means. This order is applicable to meetings of public bodies including commissions, boards, and committees that engage in policy making at the state, quasi and local level, and it does not apply to Town Meetings or judicial and quasi-judicial hearings. The full text of the order is available here.
On March 12, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration released new policies to further protect individuals served in community-based and congregate care settings from respiratory illnesses, including Coronavirus (COVID-19). The new guidance is for Assisted Living Residences, Congregate Care Settings, In-Home Caregivers and Workers (Agency Based and Non-Agency Based), and Community Day Program Settings. Read more here.
On March 11, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration released policies restricting visitors to nursing homes and rest homes in order to protect older adults at higher risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory illness. Read more here.
On March 10, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration declared a state of emergency, giving the Administration more flexibility to respond to the outbreak. Read more here.
ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY
The Attorney General’s Community Engagement Division is offering webinars to assist service providers and community members. More information is available here. They are as follows:
Landlord and tenant rights on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 10:30 AM. This webinar will be in Spanish.
Scams and identity theft on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 10:30 AM. This webinar will be in Spanish.
Landlord and tenant rights on Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
On March 20, 2020 the Attorney General filed an emergency regulation to prohibit price gouging of essential products and services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Effective immediately, the regulation prohibits price gouging of goods and services necessary for public health and safety during a declared statewide or national emergency. Read more here.
On March 19, 2020 the Attorney General asked and answered some frequently asked questions on employee rights and employer obligations with regard to COVID-19. The full guidance from the Attorney General can be found here.
On March 10, 2020 Attorney General Maura Healey issued a warning to Massachusetts residents to be on alert for individuals and businesses that may try to take advantage of uncertainty about the coronavirus. Read more here.
Other Resources
Information about sick time laws: 617-727-3465
Help with insurance claims or medical bills: 888-830-6277
Report price gouging or defective products: 617-727-8400
If you’re having difficulty negotiating a travel refund or are concerned about a potential scam, consider filing a complaint. You can do so here.
OTHER UPDATES AND GUIDANCE
Elementary and Secondary Schools
Effective March 17, 2020 the Baker-Polito Administration announced a three week suspension of all public and private elementary and secondary schools. School districts are still permitted to keep the buildings open for actions like getting food out to children who need it. The full order is here.
Full guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education can be found here.
Early Education and Childcare Providers
Governor Baker issued an Executive Order requiring all early education centers and family childcare providers to close, starting Monday March 23 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) also issued emergency procedures to set forth a process for opening Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs during the COVID-19 outbreak to provide priority access for families of emergency personnel, medical staff, and others critical to confronting COVID-19.
Read the Executive Order here: Early Education and Care Order
Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs: Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs will be the only child care programs able to operate during the COVID-19 outbreak. Families who work to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of all Commonwealth citizens will receive priority access to emergency childcare programs and these centers should only be used by people who must go to work. Vulnerable children will also receive priority access and space will be made for people who must go to work but aren’t necessarily emergency personnel.
The Department of Early Education and Care put procedures in place to quickly review applications for emergency child care programs, and to conduct expedited background record checks for childcare teachers and staff.
The Department is working to ensure there is sufficient access to emergency child care programs in each region of the Commonwealth, so those workers who need childcare can still access it.
A proposed program can be either a currently-licensed child care program, or a new program such as a location within or near a medical facility.
Providers impacted by these closures will continue to receive child care subsidy payments from the state. This ensures that programs will be able to re-open once the crisis is over. Parents who receive subsidies will not lose their vouchers, and will be able to eventually resume care. EEC will cover the cost of parent fees for subsidized families enrolled in care.
All programs that would like to operate must complete the EEC’s Emergency Licensing and Background Record Check process. Programs that have a current license and educators with confirmed background checks will be expedited for approval.
Programs must adhere to strict safety and health standards established by the Department of Public Health and Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Colleges and Universities
The Department of Higher Education has consolidated resources, to help guide public and private higher education institutions in early prevention and response efforts, as well as long-term planning, which can be found here.
Gas and Electric Service
The Department of Public Utilities issued a moratorium to suspend all shut-offs of gas and electric utilities, including Municipal Light and Gas Plants, for residential customers during the state of emergency. Read more here.
Massport Traveler Advisory
Anyone with questions about travel should consult this continuously updated portal, available here.
Public Transportation
The MBTA has announced additional service revisions in a continuing effort to protect the health and safety of the T’s workforce and customers, and to preserve transit services for those who are essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Effective Saturday, March 21, the MBTA will implement rear-door boarding on all MBTA buses and trolleys at street-level stops on the Green Line and Mattapan Line. Anyone needing to use the front door, including seniors and people with disabilities, may continue to do so.
These new measures further the T’s support for social distancing and are aligned with Governor Baker’s State of Emergency declaration. They are in addition to service revisions implemented earlier this week that resulted in broad reductions in service to protect the health and safety of the MBTA’s workforce and customers. More information is available here.
The MBTA has announced reduced service effective March 17, 2020 and full updates and guidance from the MBTA can be found here.
The MBTA announced increased sanitation measures, which can be found here.
Executive Branch Employees
All non-emergency state employees working in Executive Branch agencies should not report to their workplace on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 17th. Employees who are designated by their managers as emergency for the purposes of coronavirus planning should report to work. During this period, the administration will work to expand alternative work arrangements for the executive branch workforce and further develop plans to continue to provide essential state government services. The full announcement can be found here.
Division of Local Services
DLS temporarily suspended telephone services including the DLSlaw attorney hotline and email in order to streamline incoming communications. DLS asks all local officials and those working on behalf of municipalities to consult with your local counsel for legal advice. For urgent municipal finance and regulatory compliance questions, please email COVID19DLS@dor.state.ma.us. Before submitting questions, please check the DLS website and review DLS Alerts notifications as they are DLS’ primary means of providing the most up-to-date information. DLS recommends that any and all interested parties sign up to receive DLS alerts.
Municipal Governance
Governor Baker announced a package of legislation to help address challenges to municipal governance resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, including potential delays in holding Town Meetings and adopting Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) municipal budgets. The announcement can be found here.
Local Boards of Health
Municipalities inquiring about their ability to impose travel restrictions in addition to and beyond what the state has imposed can consult a manual published by the Mass Association of Health Boards, available here.
Inspections for Smoke Alarm Systems
Governor Baker today issued order making a change to the inspection statutes that require a smoke and carbon dioxide alarm inspection prior to a residential real estate transaction. The Order would permit the inspection to be deferred if the buyer contractually assumes responsibility for installing the detectors and the subsequent inspection happens within 90 days of the conclusion of the COVID-19 emergency. The order can be found here.
Emergency Responders and Law Enforcement
CDC-issued guidance for all first responders, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and emergency management officials, who anticipate close contact with persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 in the course of their work can be found here.
Businesses & Employers
CDC-issued guidance for employers to help prevent workplace exposures to illnesses and planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19, which can be found here.
Extending Licenses for Certain Licensed Professionals
Governor Baker issued an executive order extending licenses for certain licensed professionals, including licensed educators. The order states that a license that is “in good standing” as of March 18, 2020, and that has expired or will expire during the state of emergency, is now extended and will remain valid until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency. The full order can be found here.
Tax Relief for Businesses
The Department of Revenue announced that it will waive any late-file or late-pay penalties for returns and payment due for meals and room occupancy taxes between March 20 and May 31, 2020. A full press release can be found here.
Unemployment Insurance
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting virtual town hall meetings featuring a step by step process to achieve a successful unemployment claim. They will also take questions from claimants across the Commonwealth. Applicants should file for benefits here.
The first virtual town hall will be held on March 22nd, 2020 at 3:30pm. Sign up information for the virtual town hall is available at here. A Spanish language town hall will be held on Tuesday at 9am and additional language town halls shortly thereafter.
To further help claimants through the process of applying for benefits, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has made specific web page updates that include the latest guidance for employee qualifications and additional resources like contact forms and a COVID-19 specific unemployment claim handbook that can be viewed here.
There is now a law that waives the one-week waiting period for any person making a claim for unemployment benefits, if the unemployment is a result of any circumstances relating to or resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak or the effects of the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. For up-to-date information on unemployment benefits, click here.
Disaster and Emergency Response Business Assistance
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Baker-Polito Administration are working closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which would provide assistance to eligible businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19
The MEMA Small Business website and SBA survey forms are live as of Thursday. Guidance on cost tracking requirements under the Stafford Act has been sent to local officials.
The federal SBA has administratively declared an economic disaster in Bristol, Norfolk, and Worcester counties. Disaster loans will be available will now be available to entities in those counties. Information about federal SBA disaster loans can be found here.
Farms
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has postponed, cancelled or moved to a remote format all events over the next thirty (30) days. MDAR provided recommendations to prevent introducing or spreading disease on the farm. The full recommendations are linked here.
The Department of Agriculture Resources issued guidance for food producers and farmers markets. The full guidance from MDAR can be found here.
Casino Operations
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously to temporarily suspend operation at the state’s three casino properties, including Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made in collaboration and cooperation with Gaming Commission licensees to safeguard the health and well-being of casino guests, employees, and regulators. Read more here.
Jury Trials
The Supreme Judicial Court postponed jury trials until after April 21 and issued updated guidance which can be found here.
Parks & Recreation
The Department of Conservation and Recreation announced a temporary closure of certain state conservation and recreation managed facilities. The full guidance can be found here.
Health Care Costs for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment
The Division of Insurance released a bulletin instructing insurers not to charge patients for COVID-19 testing or treatment, which can be found here.
Local Reporting of Positive COVID-19 Cases
The Department of Public Health issued an order requiring local boards of health to communicate to the official in their district with the responsibility of administering emergency calls the addresses of those who have tested positive for COVID-19. The full order is here.
MassHealth
In response to COVID-19, and to support the health and safety of our members and staff, all MassHealth Enrollment sites will be closed for walk-in visitors until further notice. If MassHealth members or applicants need support or have any questions they should contact the Customer Service Center at (800) 841-2900; TTY: (800) 497-4648. In addition, applicants can apply for benefits online here.
The Baker-Polito Administration announced accelerated payments and cash advances to provide $200 million immediately to MassHealth for critical, acute care and safety-net health care providers, as well as for certain health care providers required to help ensure that members receiving care in the community or nursing facilities do not need to go to the hospital. These will be accelerated payments and cash advances for immediate, stopgap relief to ensure the front-line health care system is able to provide necessary resources to patients.
Massachusetts is filing a waiver request that, if allowed, will enable MassHealth to fast-track MassHealth enrollment, streamline administrative requirements for providers, and deliver critically needed health care services easier during the COVID-19 emergency. The Commonwealth is seeking flexibility to address key areas of need:
Allow for non-traditional sites of care to expand surge capacity, such as use of testing tents and overflow hospital sites
Allow new providers, including out of state providers, a streamlined pathway to practice in the state including caring for MassHealth members
Allow physician assistants to practice independently
Provide flexibility to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to meet increasing demand
Expand MassHealth Hospital-Determined Presumptive Eligibility to all individuals – which MassHealth already expanded through a public health order last week – including children, older adults, and individuals who have received MassHealth benefits within the past 12 months
Allow medications to be delivered to members, and waive a signature requirement for these prescriptions
Waive face-to-face requirements for certain services, including Home and Community Based Services, and behavioral health evaluations for Schedule II-IV prescriptions
Group Insurance Commission
State and federal level guidance and legislation adjusted eligibility and coverage for state health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information about GIC benefits during the outbreak can be found here.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
The Department of Public Health issued an order allowing pharmacists to administer substance use disorder treatment medication. The full order is here.
Physicians Assistants
The Department of Public Health issued an order providing for the flexible reassignment of physicians assistants. The full order can be found here.
DPH Emergency Credentialing and Licensed Staff Transfer Procedures
The Department of Public Health issued an order regarding expedited credentialing process for licensed independent practitioners and expedited transfers of licensed clinical staff among facilities. The full DPH order on credentialing and staffing can be found here.
Telehealth
The Department of Public Health issued guidance that stipulates that all commercial insurers and the Group Insurance Commission are required to cover medically necessary telehealth services in the same manner they cover in-person services. The full order is here.
Guidance for Hospitals on the Cancellation of Elective Procedures and Restricting Visitors
The Department of Public Health issued guidance that hospitals must restrict visitors and cancel non-essential elective procedures, effective Wednesday.
The order on restricting visitors can be found here.
The order on non-essential elective procedures can be found here.
Nursing Homes
The Department of Public Health issued guidance that assisted living residences are to ban visitors to protect the health of residents and staff. This is in addition to the federal guidance issued on Friday that bans visitors to nursing homes and rest homes. The announcement can be found here.
Boston Marathon
Governor Baker filed legislation designating September 14, 2020 as a legal holiday to support the rescheduled 2020 Boston Marathon. The announcement can be found here.
Bottle Redemption
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office are suspending enforcement of the requirements for retailers to accept beverage containers that have a deposit effective immediately until further notice or until the current state of emergency is terminated. Read more here.
Banks
The Massachusetts Division of Banks recognizes the potential for COVID-19 to adversely affect the customers and operations of financial institutions. The Division encourages financial institutions to take steps to meet the financial services needs of affected customers and communities. Read more here.
RMV
The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing that eight of its 30 customer service center locations will be open on March 19, 2020 while asking that customers who do not have immediate needs for required in-person services delay their visits. These RMV facilities prioritize regional availability, accessibility and facility size and capacity and will prioritize ONLY transactions that cannot be completed online, over the phone or by mail. To assist with “social-distancing” and reducing facility volume, customers are asked to not bring multiple individuals with them. Meanwhile, AAA locations will continue to offer select RMV services to AAA members and road tests will be suspended indefinitely.
New protocols will be in place to mitigate customer queuing. Customers visiting the open centers will be issued tickets on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to those customers with transactions that cannot be completed online. Tickets will designate for customers whether they will be served in the morning (9 a.m. until 12 p.m.) timeframe or the (12 p.m. until 5 p.m.) timeframe in groupings. Limited tickets will be issued based on the Service Center capacity and number of customers that can be served realistically through the course of the day. Any remaining customers will be asked to leave and return another day. Road tests remain suspended through at least March 20th.