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Date: 11/11/2020
EASTHAMPTON – Effective Oct. 30, the city of Easthampton reverted to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan.
The step back requires a reduction in capacity at venues such as gyms, libraries, museums and arcades from 50 to 40 percent and the closure of others including indoor theaters and performance venues.
Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said the town reverted because officials saw cases of coronavirus were increasing, and the data speaks for itself.
“My plan was, ‘Let’s be proactive’ and I got on the phone with the Board of Public Health and our health agent and we all agreed let’s not wait to go red, let’s try to prevent it,” she said.
In a statewide response, Gov. Charlie Baker also announced on Nov. 2 new restrictions that went into effect on Nov. 6. All residents older than the age of 5 will be required to wear face masks in public. Restaurants are no longer be allowed to have table service after 9:30 p.m. and all entertainment venues must close at 9:30 p.m. as well.
All alcohol sales in grocery stores, liquor stores, and restaurants also now ends at 9:30 p.m.
As a part of the new rules, Baker also announced that household gatherings should be limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. A stay-at-home advisory is now in effect for all Massachusetts residents between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Easthampton Public Schools recently started to allow special population students back to in-person instruction as part of its remote-plus format. Special populations include preschool students and those with disabilities that require substantially separate programs such as Rise, SOAR, LEAP, DLC and BEST. A limited number of kindergartners and Level 1 and 2 English language learners have also begun some in-person instruction. All students are attending classes at at Easthampton High School, which was deemed safe for limited occupancy.
The city’s step back to Phase 3, Step 1 do not affect these student groups significantly, according to LaChapelle, who said the school adjusted accordingly as far as the number of students in groups and safety protocols so in-person learning could continue.
“At this point, we are watching the situation and will make changes as we need going forward,” LaChapelle said.
She added that the school is quick to adjust to changes like this.
At their School Committee meeting on Oct. 27, the members discussed that some families may be ready to move into a hybrid learning model. LaChapelle said she is unsure of how this step back will affect that plan.
LaChapelle shared that the town is not expecting the good news of where they stand with the number of cases. She does not believe Easthampton will enter the high-risk category with eight or more cases per 1,000, but noted surrounding communities have been red.
“We are seeing transmission where folks are coming home from work and infecting those in the household so we are trying to get a grasp on the data and how that might affect schools,” she said.
She added that Superintendent Allison LeClair has put together a COVID-19 school health group who are constantly looking at the data and LaChapelle expects there to be an update from them at their next School Committee meeting on Nov. 10.
Reminder Publishing reached out to LeClair and School Committee Chair Chair Cynthia Kwiecinski but did not receive a response as of press time.
Reminder Publishing Assistant Managing Editor Chris Maza contributed to this story.