Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 31, 2020 Baker-Polito Admin. announces expansion of targeted free COVID-19 testing sites Testing will be available through August 14 O n July 27 the Baker-Polito Administration announced an expansion of its “Stop the Spread” initiative, which provides free COVID-19 testing in targeted communities across the Commonwealth. This expansion includes new testing sites in Agawam, Brockton, Methuen, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, Taunton and Worcester. The Administration previously launched free testing sites in Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough and New Bedford; the total number of communities served is now 16. The Stop the Spread initiative is a data-driven, focused effort to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities that are above the state average in total cases and positive test rate and that have experienced a decline in testing levels since April. All residents of these 16 communities, including asymptomatic individuals, are urged to use these sites to get tested, but these sites are open to all residents of the Commonwealth. Residents can visit mass.gov/ stopthespread to find testing locations, which will be available through August 14. The population of the new cities in which the free testing will be conducted – Agawam, Brockton, Methuen, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, Taunton and Worcester – makes up approximately 10% A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Same Location * Same Service for 48 Years! of the Commonwealth’s population; however, these communities have seen 15% of the Commonwealth’s positive tests in the last two weeks. The statewide positive test rate over the past two weeks is approximately 1.7%, but in those eight communities, the positivity rate is nearly 50% higher, at 2.3%. Despite the continued elevated spread in those communities, total testing in those communities has declined over 20% since the end of April, while the statewide average has been flat over that time period. The total cases as a percentage of population for these communities is nearly double the state average. Since launching Stop the Spread on July 10, 19,083 residents have been tested at these free testing sites. So far, the COVID-19 Command Center has received results back for 17,189 individuals, with a positivity rate just under 1.8%. The Command Center expects these numbers to change as additional testing results continue to come in. The Administration’s first expansion of testing in eight communities – Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough and New Bedford – has successfully increased testing in those communities. In the first week, testing in those eight communities was up 48% over the week before those sites went live, and statewide, testing was up 24%. Residents are reminded that if they test positive for COVID-19 to please answer the call when they are contacted by the Community Tracing Collaborative or their local board of health. Also, any individual who needs a safe place to isolate can call (617) 3675150 to access an isolation and recovery site at no cost. Chris Dan Steve COME ON DOWN...WE ARE OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOU...MASK REQUIRED! * Desktop Humidors * Travel Humidors * Vapes * Juice * Cigar Accessories * Bongs * Lighters & Ash Trays * Glass Pipes * Gift Cards * Rewards Program * Juuls * CBD Infused Products Buy your Cigars by the Box & Save! Plus our “Golfers’ Special” 15 Handmade Cigars - Churchill Size including a Cohiba! Only $43.95 SPECIAL OF THE MONTH SERIOUS CIGAR USERS SHOULD HAVE A HUMIDOR TO PROTECT THEIR SMOKES. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET A COMPLETE HUMIDOR THAT HOLDS UP TO 25 CIGARS FROM OUR SELECTED INVENTORY...FREE WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY BOX OF Montecristo 27’s...RETAIL VALUE OF $100...Limited time! STORE HOURS 8 AM - 7 PM Mon. - Sat., Sun. 8 AM - 6 PM New travel order to take effect August 1 G overnor Charlie Baker announced that effective August 1 all travelers entering the Commonwealth, including both out-of-state residents and Massachusetts residents returning home, will be required to comply with a new travel order. All visitors and Massachusetts residents returning home, including students returning to campuses for the fall semester, must fill out a “Massachusetts Travel Form” and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a lower COVID-19 risk state or they can produce a negative COVID-19 test result administered no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts, or they are included in one of the other, limited exemptions. Individuals who get a test must remain in quarantine until they receive their negative test results. Failure to comply might result in a $500 per day fine. Travelers are exempt from this requirement if they are coming from a state that has been designated by the Department of Public Health as a lower COVID-19 risk state or if they fall into another narrow exemption category. Based on current public health data, lower risk states are New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Hawaii. (The list of lower risk states is subject to change based on public health data, and states may be added or taken off the list at any time.) Traveler exemptions include people passing through the state, people commuting across state lines for work, people traveling to Massachusetts for medical treatment, people complying with military orders, or people traveling to work in federally designated critical infrastructure sectors (essential services). Prior to travel, people should visit www.mass.gov/MAtraveler to fill out the “Massachusetts Travel Form” or text “MATraveler” to 888-777. The Administration also announced updates to the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces to incorporate the requirements of the travel order. This included sector-specific updates for lodging, higher education, office spaces and other industry sectors. The TRAVEL ORDER | SEE PAGE 11
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