WRENTHAM — In preparation of Gov. Charlie Baker’s upcoming announcement regarding the state potentially moving into Phase 2 of its statewide re-opening plan, Town Administrator Kevin Sweet would like to inform Wrentham residents what the Town has been doing to get prepared for more businesses and services to re-open.
Gov. Baker’s office has released a checklist of workplace safety standards for restaurants to review before re-opening. The checklist provides necessary information on proper social distancing measures, hygiene protocols, staffing and operations protocols and proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
In Wrentham, town officials have taken several steps to assist restaurants to be better prepared for their much anticipated re-openings. These measures include:
- Benches have been added to the downtown area to support local merchants.
- The Town is in the process of getting picnic tables set up on the Common (all of which will be spread out to allow for proper social distancing) to allow for take out dinning option for our residents.
- A “Back 2 Business Food Safety Forum” was held for local food establishments to provide an overview of the state guidance for a safe re-opening and/or expansion of services.
- Expedited reviews have taken place to allow for the expansion of outdoor dining.
“The Town of Wrentham has been hard at work to ensure all of our restaurants — and all other eligible businesses and establishments — will be able to re-open as safely and efficiently as possible at the start of Phase 2,” Town Administrator Sweet said. “We urge our residents to support their local businesses as we all prepare to return to normal one step at a time.”
Gov. Baker will initiate Phase 2 of the statewide re-opening plan by formal Executive Order following a careful review of public health data. Restaurants may provide outdoor table service at the commencement of Phase 2. Restaurants will be authorized at a later date and by a subsequent Phase 2 Order to commence indoor table service if the public health data reflects continued positive progression.
Other businesses
Businesses that will be permitted to re-open as part of Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan include the following:
- Libraries (browsing inside with restrictions)
- Retail stores, including stores in malls (browsing inside with restrictions)
- Casino hotels and restaurants
- Driving schools (behind-the-wheel training or observation of another student driver)
- Occupational schools (for the limited purposes of permitting students to complete a degree, program, or prerequisite for employment, or other similar requirement for completion)
- Hotels, motels, inns and other short-term lodgings
- Personal services that do not involve close personal contact, such as photography, window washers and career coaching
- Close contact personal services, such as massage therapy, nail salons, tattoo parlors and electrolysis studios
- Personal trainers
- Funeral homes
“Local businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to them re-opening to serve the people of Wrentham,” Town Administrator Sweet said. “As has been the case since the very beginning of the shutdown, we will be ensuring that these businesses and their patrons follow all state and federal social distancing and personal hygiene guidelines to further reduce the spread of the virus.”
Recreational activities
Recreational activities scheduled to reopen as part of Phase 2 of the state’s re-opening plan include outdoor activities such as golf facilities (including outdoor driving ranges), miniature golf courses, go-kart racing, batting cages and outdoor performances.
For more information on the re-opening of recreational facilities, click here.
Sweatt Beach, located on Lake Pearl off of Woolford Road in Wrentham, will open on Saturday, June 6, for the 2020 season. Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, there will be several new policies in place for the season. Residents are asked to follow the guidelines that are posted at the beach for the safety of all who visit.
Stay safe
The Town of Wrentham reminds residents to still stay home as much as possible in order to limit their risk for exposure. Those who are 65 or older, or have been identified as high risk individuals should they contract the virus, are asked to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people remain in effect.
Should residents leave their homes for any reason, they are asked to take the following steps to help prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
- Wear a face mask or cloth face covering when social distancing is hard to maintain.
- Practice social distancing at all times by remaining 6 feet away from others when you must leave your home for trips to open businesses or facilities.
- Wash your hands, and clean and disinfect all high touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
- Stay home if you’re sick and avoid close contact with others.
Stay informed
To stay up-to-date on the Town of Wrentham’s plans and preparations for re-opening of Town services, as well as other COVID-19 related news, visit the Town’s COVID-19 news blog here or the Town’s official website here.
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