For the first time since March 2020, all City of Lynn public buildings including Lynn City Hall, Department of Public Works, Lynn Library and the Lynn Police and Fire Departments, will fully reopen to the public beginning Tuesday, June 1st. This decision is to align the City of Lynn to follow the State Reopening Guidance announced by Governor Baker last week to lift most COVID-19 restrictions as of Saturday, May 29th.
The main entrance to Lynn City Hall from City Hall Square will be available during City Hall business hours and visitors will no longer need to check-in at the Johnson Street entrance. In all City buildings, fully vaccinated individuals, including employees and visitors, are no longer required to wear a face covering. It is recommended that individuals who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear face coverings, as is consistent with the most recent CDC and State guidance. Hand sanitizing stations will remain operational within City Hall along with the encouragement of social distancing.
“We are only able to move forward to reopen these public buildings thanks to the incredible work that was done by our Lynn Public Health Department, City Hall Staff, Emergency Services Personnel and all of the essential workers who allowed us to continue to operate and offer city services throughout this pandemic while protecting the health and safety of our Lynn residents,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “Finally, I want to thank all of our residents for their cooperation and support in following the health and safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Both the existing City of Lynn State of Emergency Declaration Order, issued by Mayor Thomas McGee, and the Lynn Board of Health Public Health Emergency Declaration Order, both issued on March 17, 2020, will be rescinded effective June 15, 2021 to align with Governor Baker’s announcement last week that the Massachusetts State of Emergency Order will be rescinded on that same date.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my public health nurses and staff who have been invaluable and committed members of my team over the last 15 months,” said Public Health Director Michele Desmarais. “While we are showing promising signs of a return to normal as fewer people are infected with the virus, I still want to encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
This week Governor Baker filed legislation to extend certain COVID-19 emergency measures, including the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law and special permits for restaurants offering outdoor dining. If the Governor’s proposed legislation is passed, the Open Meeting Law provisions will be extended until September 1, 2021 and the outdoor dining special permits will be extended through November 29, 2021. Without the legislature’s approval of this extension, special permits granted under the Governor’s 2020 Emergency Order will expire on August 15, 2021. Any restaurant or food establishment wishing to have permanent outdoor dining should file for a permanent extension of premises with the Lynn License Commission. Interested parties may contact Deb Ginivan in the Lynn City Clerk’s Office at dginivan@lynnma.gov for more information.
Meetings of the Lynn City Council, Lynn School Committee and City Boards & Committees may be changed to an in-person only, combination in-person and remote or just a remote meeting, pending passage of the Governor’s proposed Open Meeting Law legislation. Accordingly, residents should check the City of Lynn’s online meeting and events calendar and the Board or Committee’s page for any updated information on the respective meeting and how to access it in accordance with the law.
The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor McGee’s office.
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