PRESS RELEASE

Mayor Vieau  and COVID-19 Team Review State Plan to Re-Open Municipal Buildings by Appointment Only on June 8^th

CHICOPEE —May 29, 2020, Mayor John Vieau, Chicopee Health Department, and the COVID-19 Re-open Team have completed a review of Governor Baker’s re-opening plan and guidelines and have determined a re-open strategy for municipal buildings beginning June 8, 2020.

Governor Baker’s plan details four separate phases of reopening, based on guidance and advice from world-class medical experts and administrators in the Commonwealth. Each phase, which will last for a minimum of three weeks, will be dependent upon key public health metrics. These metrics, including our community’s specific data, will be regularly reviewed and used to guide the next advancement in reopening or reverting to stricter protocols to help mitigate transmission rates before moving to the next phase.

“Continued compliance with these procedures will be crucial to safeguarding our community against a second wave,” emphasized Mayor John L. Vieau. “Now is not the time to backslide. Now is the time to remain vigilant.”

City of Chicopee Reopening Plan – Phase 1

Chicopee City Hall and all municipal buildings will reopen to the public, by appointment only, on Monday, June 8, 2020, while following CDC guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus.

• No walk-in traffic will be allowed during Phase I
• Buildings will be routinely disinfected including handrails and doorknobs

Individuals will need to contact the necessary city department directly - if such business cannot be done remotely - to schedule an appointment to conduct their city-related business.

• Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance
• For emergency issues, certain arrangements and accommodations might be possible but will be at the discretion of each department
• Based on each department’s capacity, some appointments may need to be scheduled at a later date.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

As part of the city’s public health efforts and for contact tracing purposes, those entering the building must sign in and undergo a temperature screening.

Each Chicopee municipal building will have a limited, labeled, and manned entry point.

• All appointees must check in at these designated entry points to confirm their appointment
• A temperature check before entering is required- anyone, employee or visitor, with a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed entry
• Individuals must wear face coverings when entering municipal buildings –with only exceptions for those under the age of 2 years, those who have a health condition that prevents wearing a mask, or where a mask interferes with their breathing

Upon entry, individuals must follow the pedestrian traffic movement indicators and go directly to specified department.

Individuals must stand and wait in the designated areas at the city office they are scheduled to visit.

• A city employee will call the individual forward for them to conduct their city-related business.  This is necessary to limit the number of people within an office and to encourage social distancing
• Plexiglas shields will protect the employee and the individual when doing business

Elevator use, where appropriate, will be restricted to one (1) individual at a time unless they are accompanied by a family or household member – please indicate need at check-in.

 Phase I Re-opening will include:

Parks – City parks remain open but the staff is working diligently to re-open park amenities to our community in accordance with state-issued guidelines.

• Tennis courts will reopen, with restrictions - each server uses its own tennis balls, no doubles matches, no gathering of groups, etc.

       Golf courses will remain open, with restrictions

• Golf course bathrooms will re-open pending the situating of attendants
• The food concession has re-opened and offers take-out food services under the restaurant guidelines of May 21^st
• Carts and restrooms will be opened, monitored, and maintained following CDC guidelines.

       Playgrounds, pools and splash pads will remain closed until further guidance is given.

Library

• Open for curbside pickup and drop off by appointment only, beginning June 8th
• Website will continue to offer programs and activities

Police Department

•  Will begin making appointments for FID, LTC and other permits

Fire Department 

• Will remain closed to walk-in traffic but will still accept electronically through ‘permit eyes’.

Council on Aging - Senior Center - the senior center might take the longest to reopen because of the vulnerable population it serves

• Will remain closed during Phase I
• Will continue with outreach, wellness checks, and meal options

Schools

• Will remain closed through the summer
• Will continue to provide remote learning and virtual summer programs

Veterans

• Will reopen by appointment only

These updates are based on a balance between maintaining the health and safety of our residents while decreasing restrictions. The Chicopee Health Department data shows the infection rate to be stabilizing and our City’s resources are adequate at this time.

###

                                                               Included: City of Chicopee Departmental Call List, COVID-19 Curve as of May 29, 2020, Open Cases Mapping as of May 29, 2020

COVID-19 Curve as of May 29, 2020

Open Cases Mapping as of May 29, 2020