FRAMINGHAM, MA -  Today, the City of Framingham and the Framingham Public Schools announced that effective Friday, March 13, 2020 through Sunday, March 29, the City's Library, Callahan Center and Loring Arena will be closed to the public, and all Framingham Public Schools will be closed for a minimum of two weeks to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. All activities from the City's Parks and Recreation Department will be canceled for thesame time frame. Registration fees for the activities will be refunded. The City will reassess if the closure needs to continue beyond two weeks.

Services essential to public health and safety ­ like police and fire responses and trash collection will continue as normal.

The City recognizes there are food insecure people in Framingham. We are working with community partners to provide information about access to food resources. A more detailed message will be forthcoming, which will include additional resources.   "I understand this isn't ideal for many residents, especially our students, older adults, and even employees. This decision will impact businesses and organizations, but the health and safety of our community is the number one priority," said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer. "We have been advised that the best way to slow the spread of this virus is to minimize contact. We must protect those who are most susceptible to COVID-19."

The City has setup a page on the government website which will be updated frequently and contains additional information about actions the City and Schools are taking, along with COVID-19 and prevention measures at:   OFFICIAL CITY OF FRAMINGHAM COVID-19 WEBPAGE: https://www.framinghamma.gov/2875/CORONAVIRUS-COVID-19

The City's role when it comes to infectious viruses like COVID-19 ranges from communication; monitoring those in isolation, quarantine, and social distancing situations; making decisions about closures and/or cancellations; and helping people facing disruptions in their lives. The City also focuses on the continuity of critical City operations.

Additional Resources:

• MA Dept. of Public Health - https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health
• Centers for Disease Control [https://www.cdc.gov/]

Official Information from the City will be updated on:

• City website - https://www.framinghamma.gov/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CityofFramingham/
• Twitter - @Framingham_MA

Any urgent COVID-19 updates will be broadcast on Framingham's  "reverse 911 system", (automated phone calls such as those made for local missing persons alerts, etc).  To sign up for the Framingham's reverse 911 system, please visit: https://www.smart911.com/

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