Coronavirus 2021

Message to the Community

The situation regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, with each day providing more information. The town leadership is working hard to bring you the most up to date information regarding the pandemic. There are multiple venues to stay connected, see below for links to these options. This page will stay current with the most up to date information you need to know about how this crisis is affecting Ashland and steps we are taking to do what is best for the community.

Town Communications

COVID-19 TOWN HOTLINE: 508-532-7900 - You can also send questions to Covid19@ashlandmass.com.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER: Sign up for updates and encourage your friends and neighbors to do so as well.

TWITTER: @ashlandmass and @AshlandTwnMgr

TOWN OF ASHLAND FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TownofAshlandMA/

The CDC Coronavirus site is updated regularly with important information. Please bookmark it and refer to it frequently: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

ASHLAND BOARD OF HEALTH: https://www.ashlandmass.com/178/Health

Announcement:

This testing site is closed tomorrow, January 15, 2022 due to weather and will also be closed on Monday for the legal holiday, Monday, January 17, 2022. Please rebook your appointment using the link below.

Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site

MBTA Commuter Rail
Memorial Drive Ashland, MA 01721
Access this testing location by train, car, or bus

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9am - 1pm
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays from 2pm - 7pm

THIS TESTING SITE IS NOW APPOINTMENT ONLY

Please create an account, if you do not already have one, with this link, to register for an appointment.

Access this facility by car via Memorial Drive in Ashland, Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Commuter Rail's inbound train, and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority bus route number 5.

Fill out this form prior to your appointment for a faster experience.

Individuals taking this PCR test typically receive results within 24-hours, but it may take longer.

Questions? Contact the site administrators, 617-765-0176

Download the flyer here

Please note on the Vaccine Status Chart the state has our population at 19,700 if you look at the chart they are only reporting people vaccinated who are 5 years old and above. Starting this week the chart also reflects the 5-11-year-olds that are starting to be vaccinated. Also, you may notice that in some categories there are more people vaccinated than the population shows for that category. This is due to the state using data from 2020 and does not reflect when more people may move into town. For more information on how the state captures our population data please refer to this website.

Next week our Vaccine Clinic data from 11/10/21 will also be reflected in the chart.

Local Cases in Ashland

The following information as of 12/30/2021:

Ashland has a total of 2261 Confirmed cases of COVID-19 of which 2056 have cleared. We currently have 205 open and confirmed Cases.

In addition, we have a total of 267 Probable Cases of which 254 have cleared. We currently have 13 open probable cases.

Cleared Cases = The number of cases you see are people that have tested positive and are now cleared. This does not include their close contacts (Please note this change in data collection effective 4.23.20).

December 29, 2021-

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

The Town of Ashland Department Health in accordance with the Department of Public Health (DPH) is adopting updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding isolation and quarantine periods for the general population, effective immediately.

This updated guidance shortens the recommended time for isolation and quarantine from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

"CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after..."

Continue reading this guidance from the CDC here

For more information:

Learn more about these changes on mass.gov: What to do if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19
The updated isolation guidance applies to K-12 schools. At this time, quarantine guidance for K-12 schools remains unchanged. DESE’s current mask requirement and Policy on Vaccination Rate Threshold remains in effect.
DPH is reviewing updated CDC guidance regarding isolation and quarantine for healthcare workers and will have more to share soon.

Facial Coverings/ Masks

December 21, 2021- Advisory from the Ashland Board of Health:

Effective December 22, 2021, the Ashland Board of Health advises all unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals to wear face-coverings while in indoor settings and practice social distancing. This is in response to the significant increase of positive COVID-19 cases in our community as well as a recent advisory from the MA Department of Public Health. Thank you for keeping Ashland safe!

August 6, 2021-

Due to the current increase in COVID-19 cases, please wear a mask when entering municipal buildings. (See the flyer below or click here).

May 29, 2021-

Face-Covering Advisory for Unvaccinated Residents

The Department of Public Health will issue a public health advisory effective May 29 that advises all unvaccinated residents to continue to wear face-coverings in indoor settings and when they can’t socially distance.

Face-Covering Requirements in Certain Locations

Effective May 29, 2021, face coverings will continue to be required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at all times in the following locations, subject to the exemptions listed here.

January 10, 2021- Baker- Polito Administration Launches Tool for Residents to Access COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Card

Learn More

December 21, 2021- Gov. Baker updates mask advisory, announces hospital support

Learn More

December 4, 2021- Omicron variant detected in Massachusetts

Learn more

June 16, 2021 - Baker- Polito Administration signs pandemic provision extensions into law

Learn More

May 17, 2021 - Baker- Polito Administration Announce Phase IV ("New Normal")

Learn More

Government Meetings

As of June 16th, 2021, Governor Baker signed the "Act relative to extending certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency" which extends The Open Meeting law and allows public bodies' ability to continue conducting meetings remotely until April 1, 2022. Additionally, the Select Board and Town Moderator may continue to vote to prescribe the number of voters necessary to constitute a quorum at any town meeting until December 15, 2021.

Live remote participation is being limited to public hearings of regulatory boards at this time, and residenDone Editingts are still able to provide comments via email. Meetings will continue to be streamed via Youtube and on WACA TV channels. Links to all meetings can be found on www.ashlandmass.com under each meeting posting as well as on each individual agenda.

Directions on how to use Zoom can be found by CLICKING HERE.

February 10, 2021:

Please note two changes to the Ashland COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program. First, mortgage assistance is available only to those properties with an affordable housing deed restriction. Second, if the eviction process has been started, additional assistance may be available. Please contact Jennifer Wuelfing to discuss this option.
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COVID-19 Rental/ Mortgage Assistance Program

In response to the loss of income to households due to Covid-19, this program has been created and funded by the CARES Act funds granted to the Town of Ashland and the Affordable Housing Trust utilizing their Community Preservation Act funds. This program seeks to be efficient and responsive. It is temporary in nature. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis starting on July 7, 2020. Applicants are eligible for up to three months rental or mortgage assistance (Assistance can be used to pay current and future rent, or pay rent that is past due since 3/1/2020).

For more information and to access the application, please visit our website.

Please contact Jennifer Wuelfing, Director of Human Services at jwuelfing@ashlandmass.com or 508-532-7942 for a paper application or with any questions.

Coronavirus 2021

January 7, 2022- Town of Ashland Administration announces mask advisory and municipal building changes to operations

Message to the Community

Town Communications

Announcement:

Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site

HOURS OF OPERATION:

THIS TESTING SITE IS NOW APPOINTMENT ONLY

Vaccinated Individuals within theTown of Ashland as of December 29, 2021

When should I get my booster?

View the graphics below and this resource- Vaccine Booster FAQ

Local Cases in Ashland

December 4, 2021- Omicron variant detected in Massachusetts

Residents urged to get COVID-19 vaccine, booster

December 29, 2021-

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

This updated guidance shortens the recommended time for isolation and quarantine from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

For more information:

Facial Coverings/ Masks

December 21, 2021- Advisory from the Ashland Board of Health:

August 6, 2021-

May 29, 2021-

January 10, 2021- Baker- Polito Administration Launches Tool for Residents to Access COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Card

December 21, 2021- Gov. Baker updates mask advisory, announces hospital support

December 4, 2021- Omicron variant detected in Massachusetts

June 16, 2021 - Baker- Polito Administration signs pandemic provision extensions into law

May 17, 2021 - Baker- Polito Administration Announce Phase IV ("New Normal")

Government Meetings

Town of Ashland Municipal Building Guidelines

January 7, 2022- Town of Ashland Administration announces mask advisory and municipal building changes to operations

Communications from our Town Manager

Ashland COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

February 10, 2021:

COVID-19 Rental/ Mortgage Assistance Program

Information from Ashland Public Schools

Vaccinated Individuals within the
Town of Ashland as of December 29, 2021