Town Hall & Old Town Hall Closed Until Further Notice
The Dighton Board of Selectmen reports that the Town of Dighton has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, resulting in an increased risk designation from the Commonwealth.
According to the public health data released on Thursday, Nov. 12, the Town’s designation is now “Red,” indicating a “high risk” in the community. This designation follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) update to the calculation of risk designations to better reflect COVID-19 caseload in relation to population. Dighton’s “Red” designation in accordance with the new metrics indicates more than 25 positive cases in the community.
According to today’s data, there have been 33 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Dighton over the past two weeks. Dighton’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 29.7 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 21.6
“As COVID-19 case numbers increase once again, the Town of Dighton remains committed to ensuring the safety of all,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Brett Zografos said. “Out of an abundance of caution, the town is taking several proactive measures, which include closing town facilities to the public. As always, we encourage residents to continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing and do their part to stop the spread.”
Due to the increased risk of COVID-19, the Dighton Board of Health, in conjunction with the Pandemic Task Force and the Board of Selectmen, will close the Town Hall and Old Town Hall beginning Monday, Nov. 16 until further notice. Town Hall departments will have staff available by telephone during normal business hours.
The Council on Aging and the Library will remain closed to the public as well. All Council on Aging, Prime Time and Library programs that are scheduled at the Old Town Hall will be cancelled until further notice.
The Town of Dighton has also implemented the following safety restrictions:
- All in-person meetings are cancelled until further notice. All conferences or committee meetings will be held remotely via Zoom.
- The Special Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, will still be held at the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, 2700 Regional Road, beginning at 7 p.m. Masks and social distancing are mandatory, and sanitizing wipes will be provided to the public to sanitize their seating before and after use.
- Signage will be paced at all playgrounds, basketball courts and the track behind the Town Hall informing the public of the mandatory mask mandate. Anyone found to be violating the mandate may be find $500 for non-compliance.
- Payments or any correspondence may be left either at the drop box located outside of the Town Hall or the drop box located at the front of the Old Town Hall. Payments may also be made by mail and online.
- There will be no change to trash and recycling pick-up.
Recent Updates
Last week, Gov. Baker also announced a variety of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. These measures include revisions to the Massachusetts Face Covering Order, reduced gathering limits, and more.
Dighton residents are also reminded of the new state measures now in effect. They include:
- Stay At Home Advisory: A revised Stay At Home Advisory has been issued, which instructs residents to stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions are made for activities such as going to work, running critical errands to get groceries and address health needs, and taking a walk. To read the revised advisory, click here.
- Early Closure of Businesses and Activities: A new executive order requires certain businesses to close and activities to end each night at 9:30 p.m. To read the new executive order, including a full list of businesses affected by the new early closure requirement, click here.
- Face Coverings: Face coverings are now required in all public places, even if 6 feet of social distance can be maintained. Limited exceptions remain. To read the revised face-coverings order, click here.
- Gatherings: A new order reduces the gathering size limit for gatherings at private residences. Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people. The new order also requires that organizers of gatherings report known positive COVID-19 cases to the local health department and requires organizers to cooperate with contact tracing. To read the revised gatherings order, click here.
Holiday Safety
With the holiday season upon us, the Town of Dighton would like to share the following holiday safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Family and friends should consider the number and rate of COVID-19 cases in their community and in the community where they plan to celebrate when considering whether to host or attend a holiday celebration.
- Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. If hosting an outdoor event is not possible, and you choose to host an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces.
- Avoid traveling for the holidays as traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses low risk for spread.
- During holiday celebrations, you should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people you don’t live with, wear a mask and avoid busy eating areas, such as restaurants during high volume mealtimes.
- If you participated in higher risk activities or think that you may have been exposed during your celebration, take extra precautions (in addition the ones listed above) for 14 days after the event to protect others:
To view more holiday safety tips, visit the CDC’s COVID-19: Holiday Celebration page here.
For additional tips from the CDC, click here, and from the Massachusetts DPH, click here.
Dighton residents with questions may additionally contact the Dighton Board of Health at 774-872-0943.
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