Video Update for May 27
This is Mayor Paul Brodeur
As you know, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides weekly reports on municipal COVID-19 data. As of 4 pm today, Melrose has had 233 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. DPH publishes extensive data on the pandemic which can be found at the link appearing on the screen.
mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting
If you have not had a change to visit the city’s COVID-19 Information Hub on our website, I urge you to do so. It has been updated and improved with data and other helpful resources to help us all understand and navigate the challenges posed by the coronavirus.
I am happy to report that tennis has returned to Melrose! The courts are open but with restricted access in line with public health and USTA guidance. Due to the continued need for social distancing, only two courts are open at each location. Courts can be reserved at PlayLocal.com. Players can use the courts with no reservation if courts are available, but players must leave if someone arrives who does have a reservation. Other phase 1 restrictions apply and are listed on signs posted at the courts.
Per state guidance, the playgrounds (including the skate park) are scheduled to reopen with restrictions in phase two of the reopening plan.
While the state is allowing dog parks to reopen with restrictions during the current phase, those restrictions are unworkable. The policy states that all dog walkers and their dogs are expected to social distance, providing enough space for others and their dogs to pass when necessary and that social distancing for dogs means that dogs not part of the same household should be kept at least six feet apart and avoid interacting with other dogs and other people from separate households. That is the exact opposite of what a dog park is for. That is why I am joining with other municipal leaders to advocate for changes to this policy, and I look forward to reopening the park when a more realistic policy is in place.
Now I want to talk about elections. Recognizing the many challenges to in-person voting posed by the pandemic, I want to assure residents at the city has begun planning for what changes might be necessary and are closely tracking developments at the State House regarding any changes to election law. People should rest assured that the city is committed to making sure that voting in our elections on September 1 and November 3 is safe, secure, and accessible to all who wish to cast a ballot.
One thing that will not change is the fact that you need to be registered to vote. To register, pre-register (available to 16 and 17 year-olds), or confirm your registration, use the state voter tools page located at the following link: sec.state.ma.us/ele/elevoterresources.htm
Thank you for all you are doing to protect yourselves and each other. Keep wearing those face coverings, washing your hands, and keeping your distance. Remember that together, we will get through this.