Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Gov. Charlie Baker & Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announce the release of additional data on community-level spread of COVID-19 at a State House press conference on Aug. 11. (Photo: Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office)
Emergency orders and related guidance associated with COVID-19 State of Emergency
COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report, updated Thursday afternoons
DPH’s COVID-19 Response Reporting, updated daily by 4 p.m.
Most recent MEMA Command Center Situation report | Previous reports
Press Releases Related to COVID-19
State begins distribution of pandemic premium payments to low-income workers
March 24
Gov. Baker signs COVID bill with public meeting provisions
February 14
Administration announces plan for pandemic premium pay for low-income workers
February 8
Supreme Court blocks vaccine mandate for large employers
February 3
Administration secures contract for 26 million rapid antigen tests
January 11
Administration Launches Tool for Residents to Access COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Card
January 10
COVID rapid tests available to municipalities, other entities directly from manufacturers
January 3
Gov. Baker updates mask advisory, announces hospital support
December 21
Introducing B Together – City of Boston
December 20
Administration making free and low-cost COVID tests widely available
December 13
Governor signs $4B COVID recovery bill
December 13
Administration asks local leaders to assist with vaccine booster effort
December 3
Administration announces vaccine requirement for executive department employees
August 19
Division of Open Government issues guidance about open meeting law under new legislation
June 17
Governor signs pandemic policy extension law
June 16
Administration Announces $109 Million in Direct Federal Aid for Four Communities
June 4
Vaccine preregistration system to close; homebound vaccination to expand
May 21
State to lift remaining COVID restrictions May 29 and ease mask-wearing rules
May 17
Administration announces employer vaccination program, extension of free testing
May 13
State, local officials look toward a fuller reopening
April 28
Baker-Polito administration announces plans for continued reopening
April 27
Treasury lays out steps local governments need to take to prepare for ARPA grants
April 16
State directs providers to halt use of J&J vaccine
April 13
Federal aid, vaccines and summer are topics of call with state and local officials
April 6
ARPA is focal point for state and local officials during call
March 23
Mass. to transition to Phase 4 of Reopening Plan March 22
March 18
Vaccine timeline for all residents announced; $24.7M available for Vaccine Equity Initiative
March 17
President signs American Rescue Plan, with $65B for municipalities
March 11
State designates days for educator vaccines, launches new preregistration system for MassVax
March 10
Vaccines, federal aid and in-person learning are primary topics of municipal CEO briefing
March 9
K-12 educators and staff and child care workers eligible for vaccine appointments on March 11
March 3
Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Feb. 25
State and local officials continue discussion of vaccine challenges
Feb. 23
Administration Launches New Vaccine Location Finder and Appointment Finder for Some Sites
Feb. 12
State and local officials discuss COVID vaccine challenges
Feb. 9
COVID-19 Command Center Announces More Details For Vaccine Online Booking Process
Feb. 3
Administration Announces Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccination Sites, Updates to Phase Two
Jan. 25
Administration Expands Vaccine Access to All Eligible Residents in Phase One Effective Immediately
Jan. 21
Administration Extends Capacity Limits and Lifts Early Closing Requirement for Businesses
Jan. 21
Administration announces extension of capacity and gathering limits
Jan. 8
State, local leaders focus on vaccine in call
Jan. 6
Administration announces further measures to stop spread of COVID
Dec. 22
State, local officials discuss 2 tracks of pandemic
Dec. 15
State and local leaders discuss COVID vaccine, testing and federal aid
Dec. 1
As COVID numbers rise and holidays approach, state and local officials focus on safety measures
Nov. 19
Gov. Baker addresses COVID spike in call with local leaders
Nov. 5
Gov. Baker announces measures to curb rising COVID-19 cases
Nov. 2
COVID numbers, budgets and housing are priorities during call for state, local leaders
Oct. 20
State and local leaders discuss COVID status, CARES Act funding
Oct. 6
Lower-risk communities may move to Step 2 of Phase 3 effective Oct. 5
Sept. 29
Administration Announces Free COVID-19 Testing in 18 Communities is Extended through October
Sept. 23
School and business issues are key topics for state and local leaders
Sept. 22
Massachusetts Announces Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses
Sept. 15
As school year approaches, state and local leaders discuss plans, needs and options
Sept. 8
State and local leaders assess COVID progress and look toward fall
Aug. 25
State, local leaders discuss how new COVID data could influence decisions
Aug. 11
Baker-Polito Administration Releases Enhanced Community Level Data on Spread of COVID-19
Aug. 11
Administration announces new COVID-19 restrictions
Aug. 7
State, communities look to Congress for aid as reopening moves forward
July 28
Baker-Polito Administration Issues New Travel Order Effective August 1st
July 24
State and local leaders discuss long-lasting Phase 3
July 7
With COVID surging elsewhere, state and local leaders discuss continued progress here
July 1
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Updated Travel Guidelines to Support COVID-19 Response
June 30
State and local leaders discuss incremental changes in reopening process
June 23
Step 2 of Phase 2 of reopening set for Monday, administration announces
June 19
State and local leaders continue to forge path through COVID crisis
June 16
State and local officials discuss reopening progress and the steps ahead
June 9
Governor announces Phase 2 of reopening will begin June 8
June 6
Law allows changes to town meeting, election and budget processes
June 5
State and local officials look toward return of popular activities
June 2
Executive orders allow preparations for reopening outdoor dining, child care, retail, sports
June 2
City, town halls allowed to reopen under new rules, but many proceeding with caution
May 28
State and local leaders discuss reopening progress and new questions
May 26
As reopening launches, state and local leaders discuss complicated landscape
May 19
Baker-Polito administration releases state reopening plan
May 18
MMA presents key municipal priorities for reopening process
May 13
State and local leaders discuss the complexities of reopening
May 12
As state inches toward reopening, complex planning process underway
May 5
Extreme uncertainty clouds budget outlook
April 30
Administration seeks municipal input as it develops plan to reopen workplaces
April 28
Municipal organizations call for $250B federal assistance package for local governments
April 23
State and local leaders discuss the path to ‘normal’ and lack of budget clarity
April 21
AG Healey Launches New Website for First Responders and Health Care Workers
April 15
Awaiting surge, local and state officials grapple with questions about what’s ahead
April 14
State budget writers hear dire forecasts during economic roundtable with key experts
April 14
Gov. signs law with number of school-related adjustments
April 10
Sheltering, testing and fiscal matters are focus of COVID call with state leaders
April 7
Administration Responds to Questions Raised During March 31 Municipal CEO Briefing
April 6
Gov. signs law to address municipal operations challenges resulting from COVID-19 emergency
April 2
Administration issues new guidance for construction sites
April 2
State budget writers to host discussion of COVID economic impacts April 14
April 2
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Response
March 28
Administration issues further guidance on construction during closure of non-essential businesses
March 25
Local officials talk to state leaders about COVID-related operational challenges
March 24
Gov. and top state officials discuss operational challenges with mayors
March 18
U.S. Census Bureau makes adjustments due to COVID-19
March 18
Congress passes the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 18
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Actions to Address COVID-19
March 15
Message to members: MMA staff is now working remotely
March 13
Governor Baker Declares State of Emergency to Support Commonwealth’s Response to Coronavirus
March 10
Vaccine
Meetings and Elections
Public Meetings, Hearings, Operations
Education and Child Care
PPE, Testing, Tracing and Enforcement
First Responders
Business Activities
Human Resources
Remote Work
Housing and Sheltering
Health and Human Services
Planning and Local Response
Municipal Services
Recreation and Summer Activities
Guidance Archive
Vaccine
Rural Vaccine Equity Initiative (VEI)
– Mass. Office of Rural Health
Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program – Provider Information and Resources List, Sept. 1
– Dept. of Public Health
Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Vaccine Boosters, July 8
– CDC and FDA
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated – How to Protect Yourself and Others, updated July 27
– CDC
COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Program
COVID-19 vaccinations for people under age 18
– Dept. of Public Health
COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative
Choosing Safer Activities – mask guidance
– CDC
Guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
– Dept. of Public Health
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated: How to Protect Yourself and Others
– CDC
Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Data
– Dept. of Public Health
COVID-19 Homebound Vaccination Program
Massachusetts Homebound Vaccination Program Resource Guide and Information (March 23)
COVID vaccine FAQs in multiple languages
– Dept. of Public Health
Getting Back to Normal is Going to Take All of Our Tools (poster)
– CDC
COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet – English
– CDC
COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet – Spanish
– CDC
Why Get Vaccinated? (poster)
– CDC
Meetings and Elections
Guidance for Town Meetings to Address COVID-19, updated Nov. 23
– Dept. of Public Health
Public Meetings, Hearings, Operations
Instructions for Submitting Legislative Committee Hearing Testimony
– Massachusetts Legislature
Guidance on Gatherings and Community Events
– U.S. CDC
Education and Child Care
FY2022 One-Time Assistance for Districts with Pandemic-Related Enrollment Disruptions Impacting Chapter 70 Aid
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Update on DESE Mask Requirement – Feb. 9, 2022
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
New COVID-19 Testing Program Options for K-12 Schools
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Extension of DESE Mask Requirement – Updated Jan. 10, 2022
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Extension of DESE Mask Requirement – Oct. 26, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Extension of DESE Mask Requirement, Sept, 27, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Implementation of DESE Mask Requirement, Aug. 25, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Memorandum: DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios – SY 2021-22
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
2021-22 School Year FAQ, Aug. 20, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education/Dept. of Public Health
Memo: Recommendation to Authorize Commissioner to Require Masks for Students and Staff in K-12 Schools through at least October 1, 2021, Consistent with Exigent Circumstances under Student Learning Time Regulations, 603 CMR 27.08 (1)
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
COVID-19 Guidance for Districts and Schools Fall 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education/Dept. of Public Health
Guidance on In-Person Learning and Student Learning Time Requirements, April 27, 2021
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios (Revised April 20, 2021)
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Supplemental Guidance for Student Groups and School Events for School Year 2020-2021 (revised April 1, 2021)
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
PPE, Testing, Tracing and Enforcement
COVID-19 Statewide Contract Resources for Antigen Test Kits
– Operational Services Division
Self-Testing Guidance (results)
– CDC
Self-Testing
– CDC
COVID-19 Self-Test Distribution
– Executive Office of Health and Human Services
COVID-19 Mask Requirements (updated Dec. 21)
– Dept. of Public Health
Find a COVID-19 Test
– Dept. of Public Health
COVID Data Tracker: COVID-19 Integrated County View
– CDC
First Responders
COVID-19 Vaccine Locations for First Responders
Business Activities
Safety Standards and Checklist: Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed (effective March 21, 2021)
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Sector-specific safety rules for large capacity venues permitted to open to the public in Phase 4
– Dept. of Labor Standards
Submit a Large Capacity Venue Safety Plan
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Human Resources
Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave—Employer Guidance – May 28, 2021
– Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave – Employer Guidance, effective May 28, 2021
– Commonwealth of Massachusetts
U.S. Travel Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
– CDC
Massachusetts Travel Advisory (eff. March 22, 2021)
Remote Work
Housing and Sheltering
How to Establish and Improve Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
– National League of Cities
Health and Human Services
Find Food Assistance
– Department of Transitional Assistance
COVID-19 Public Resources Map
– Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, MassGIS, Project Bread, Greater Boston Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, Massachusetts Communities
Planning and Local Response
Advisory Regarding Face Coverings and Cloth Masks, updated July 30, 2021
– Dept. of Public Health
Suggested Guideline: Road races and other large outdoor organized group athletic events, updated May 11
– Division of Labor Standards
Safety Standards and Checklist: Indoor and Outdoor Events (effective March 22, 2021)
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Municipal Services
Safety Standards and Checklist for Libraries
– Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Reopening Your Library: Guidelines, Roadmap and Plan Template
– Massachusetts Library System
Recreation and Outdoor Activities
Safety and Reopening Standards For Businesses and Other Entities Providing Youth and Adult Amateur Sports Activities, effective May 18
– Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Recreational Camps and Programs Health and Safety Standards for Reopening
New This Week
FY2022 One-Time Assistance for Districts with Pandemic-Related Enrollment Disruptions Impacting Chapter 70 Aid
– Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
• ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund)
• BIL (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law)
• CARES Act (Coronavirus Relief Fund – Municipal Program)
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program)
2022
Federal and state officials explain ARPA’s Final Rule Feb. 1
MSA holds Annual Business Meeting, discusses virtual and hybrid meetings Jan. 31
2021
State officials explain ARPA reporting requirements for NEUs Sept. 29
State officials explain ARPA reporting requirements for metropolitan cities Aug. 11
MMA HSC discusses ARPA funding for human services July 29
Select board group discusses the future of public meetings July 28
MMCA discusses uses of ARPA funds June 30
MMA hosts webinar on CARES extension and ARPA process June 10
Human services group discusses vaccine education and hesitancy May 21
Human services group discusses self-care and stress management March 26
State officials give updates on federal relief funds for municipalities, school districts March 4
MMHR discusses range of COVID-related issues in human resources arena March 4
Education and finance officials explain state and federal education funding streams Feb. 12
2020
Round 2 of Coronavirus Relief Fund explained in webinar hosted by MMA, administration Oct. 1
Management Association discusses state of COVID pandemic Aug. 27
Select board group discusses open meeting and public records laws July 15
MMA Human Services Council discusses elder care during COVID-19 July 1
Select board group discusses economic recovery in downtown business districts June 24
MMA holds COVID-19 briefing for MSA and MMCA June 12
MMHR webinar covers re-entry planning for municipalities June 11
STAM webinar discusses reopening town buildings and operations June 5
Local leaders discuss town meetings and elections during COVID June 3
STAM holds webinar to explore one-twelfth budget process May 29
State agencies explain state, federal programs to help communities mitigate COVID impacts May 28
Select board group discusses meetings, records, social media and other challenges May 20
In webinar, top administration officials explain CARES Act funding process May 14
MMHR webinar covers furloughs, unemployment during COVID emergency May 14
MMCA webinar looks at municipal budgeting in COVID era May 13
MSA/MMCA COVID-19 briefing webinar May 8
STAM webinar covers range of municipal finance topics during COVID crisis May 5
ATFC holds webinar exploring municipal budget implications of COVID April 29
Experts discuss cybersecurity for municipalities during COVID emergency April 26
MSA/MMCA COVID-19 briefing webinar April 10
Town managers, MMHR discuss supporting employees during COVID emergency April 9