Town Administrator Update on COVID-19

The following is an update from Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald on 4/13/20 regarding COVID-19.

Good Afternoon—this is Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. 

I want to share a few updates on the steps Swampscott is taking to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect you and your family. First, let me begin by expressing my gratitude for the overwhelming support and compliance by Swampscott residents to the recently imposed stay-at-home order passed by the Swampscott Select Board and Swampscott Board of Health. I appreciate how trying these times are for everyone and I am grateful for the efforts of so many in our community to keep us all healthy. By staying home, you are slowing the spread of COVID-19 and you are saving lives!

As of today, there are 56 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Swampscott – an over 20% increase from last week. This increase is consistent with trends on the state and national level. It is more important now than ever to be vigilant in our social distancing efforts, which is why, in addition to the Stay at Home Order previously issued by the Swampscott Select Board and Swampscott Board of Health; this past Friday, the Swampscott Select Board and Swampscott Board of Health approved an ORDER to REQUIRE the wearing of a fabric masks over your nose and mouth when entering any essential businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, other stores, and restaurants for the purpose of picking up food, or supplies.  We do not recommend using surgical or so-call N95 masks. Fabric masks are also required in all indoor common areas within multifamily and office buildings, such as hallways, laundry rooms, common rooms, and the like.

Swampscott’s Heath and Emergency Management team continues to meet virtually daily and has been focused on three goals: (1) to slow the transmission of the virus in our Town, (2) to make preparations to continue essential town services, and (3) to ensure the health and safety of Town residents and employees.  Getting out ahead of the virus through appropriate social distancing and encouraging proper hygiene is essential. All of Swampscott’s responses are informed by the advice of Swampscott’s public health professionals and are consistent with guidance from federal and state agencies. The purpose of these orders is to make clear to every resident what is REQUIRED of all of us to get through this pandemic and to protect ourselves and others from infection. 

I also cannot stress enough the importance of proper hygiene. Please wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, with soap and hot water, and make sure your loves ones do the same. More information on safety measures and more can be found on the town website at www.swampscottma.gov
Additionally, thank you to the Swampscott Public Schools, Swampscott Senior Center, and Anchor Food Pantry, Swampscott is providing free meals and groceries to any resident in need. We need your donations and you can help support Anchor by using the link on their Facebook page. 

Grab-n-Go lunches are available at the Swampscott High School Monday through Friday from 11:00am-1:00pm. Meals are available for pick up or delivery by calling the Swampscott Senior Center at (781) 596-8866; and

Finally, thanks to the efforts of dozens of residents volunteering to provide supplies for and to make facemasks, a limited number of facemasks are available by calling the Swampscott Senior Center at (781) 596-8866. If you are willing to volunteer to make masks or to provide supplies, please volunteer at www.swampscottma.gov.

As always, in the case of an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

We will continue to provide more updates in the days ahead, and I ask your help in sharing these updates with others to ensure everyone is aware. 

I am proud of what Swampscott and our residents are doing to help each other through these challenging times. Better days will come soon thanks to the love and support of the people of Swampscott.