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Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health

Press Releases Related to COVID-19

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Table of Contents

May 2020

COVID-19 Command Center Releases New Nursing Home and Community-level COVID-19 Public Health Data 

5/27/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Implements Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)  

5/21/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito Highlight Workplace Implementation of New COVID-19 Safety Standards at Symmons Industries in Braintree  

5/20/2020 Press Release

Reopening Massachusetts: Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to First Phase of Four-Phase Approach 

5/18/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Invests $56 Million to Combat Food Insecurity in Massachusetts 

5/17/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration & Employer Community Announce Continuation of Work From Home Policies to Support Safe Reopening of Massachusetts Economy 

5/15/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration to Distribute $502 Million from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to Local Cities and Towns 

5/14/2020 Press Release

New Resources to Help Massachusetts Residents Cope During COVID-19 

5/14/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Provides Update on COVID-19 Testing Capacity and Strategy, PPE Procurement 

5/14/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker Highlights Administration’s COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing Initiatives At Fall River Testing Site 

5/13/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker Tours MetroWest Manufacturer MatTek Life Sciences, Pivoting to Support COVID-19 Research With Support from M-ERT 

5/12/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Files Supplemental Budget Bill to Authorize $1 Billion in COVID-19 Spending 

5/12/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Four-Phase Approach to Reopening and Publishes Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards 

5/11/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration, Mass League of Community Health Centers to Launch Public Awareness Campaign 

5/8/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration, Partners in Health, Public Health Officials Provide Update on Community Tracing Collaborative 

5/7/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker Tours Participating M-ERT Company, Merrow Manufacturing, in Fall River 

5/5/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Orders Use of Mask or Face Covering in Public, Announces Increased Community Health Center COVID-19 Testing Capacity 

5/1/2020 Press Release

April 2020

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures to May 18th, Announces Reopening Advisory Board 

4/28/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Support, Resources, and Accountability Measures for Nursing Facilities, Funding for Congregate Care Facilities During COVID-19 

4/27/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Files Medicaid Waiver For MassHealth Flexibility, Provides Update On Launch Of New Unemployment System  

4/24/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Increased Community Health Center COVID-19 Testing Capacity, Access to High-Speed Internet 

4/22/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Division of Banks Joins Multi-State Initiative to Provide Relief to Massachusetts Student Loan Borrowers 

4/21/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Extension of School and Non-Emergency Child Care Program Closures, Continued Steps to Support COVID-19 Response 

4/21/2020

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Implementation Of CARES Act Unemployment Benefits For Self-Employed, Gig Economy And Other Workers 

4/20/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Outlines Ongoing Steps To Address Homelessness During COVID-19, Announces New Childcare Actions 

4/17/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Distribution Of PPE To All Emergency Responders In Massachusetts 

4/17/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Funding, Outlines Ongoing Steps To Support Long-Term Care Facilities 

4/15/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito Tour Field Medical Station at Joint Base Cape Cod, Announce Further COVID-19 Response Reporting Data 

4/14/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Manufacturing Emergency Response Team To Support Supply Production 

4/13/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Spanish Language Unemployment Application 

4/11/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Issues Further Public Health Guidance to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19, Expands First Responder Testing Sites to Include Grocery Store Workers and Authorizes Increased National Guard Activation 

4/10/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Provides Update On Hospital Surge Capacity 

4/10/2020 Press Release

Advisory Regarding Face Coverings and Cloth Masks  

4/10/2020 Advisory

Baker-Polito Administration Announces COVID-19 Text Alerts Now Available In Spanish 

4/10/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Field Medical Station Details, New Support for Health Care Workforce, Expanded COVID-19 Data Reporting and Domestic Violence Resources 

4/9/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Announces Initial Implementation Of New Federal Unemployment Benefits From CARES Act 

4/9/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Testing Site Expansion, New Restrictions For Grocery Stores, Crisis Standards of Care Recommendations 

4/8/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker Files Legislation To Provide Health Care Workers Liability Protections During COVID-19 Response 

4/8/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Increased Resources For Health Care Providers, Expanded Support For Long-Term Care Facilities, COVID-19 Testing Initiatives 

4/7/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration, CVS Announce Expansion Of Rapid COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing In Massachusetts 

4/7/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative to Further Mitigate the Spread of Virus 

4/3/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Outlines COVID-19 Surge Modeling, Response Efforts To Boost Hospital Capacity 

4/2/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Additional Steps to Encourage Social Distancing at State Parks and Beaches 

4/2/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito Tour Field Medical Station Site At DCU Center 

4/1/2020 Press Release

Governor Charlie Baker Announces Attorney Mark W. Pearlstein to Investigate Holyoke Soldiers’ Home 

4/1/2020 Press Release

DCU Center in Worcester to be Used as a Field Medical Station 

4/1/2020 Press Release

March 2020

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures and Executive Branch Employee Guidance 

3/31/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Actions To Expand Health Care Workforce, Other Actions To Support Providers, Business During COVID-19 

3/30/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Online Portal for Personal Protective Equipment, Volunteers to Support COVID-19 Outbreak 

3/29/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Response 

3/28/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department reports 10 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing statewide total to 35; more than 29,000 people have been tested 

3/27/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Travel Guidelines and New Health Care Resources To Support COVID-19 Response 

3/27/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Announces State Income Tax Filing Deadline Being Extended to July 15 

3/27/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Dedicates Former Hospital for Shelter, Treatment of Homeless Individuals 

3/26/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department reports 10 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing statewide total to 25; to date more than 23,500 individuals tested 

3/26/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Request and Other COVID-19 Response Efforts 

3/26/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department reports four more COVID-19 deaths, bringing total in state to 15; to date 19,794 individuals have been tested 

3/25/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Extension of School and Non-Emergency Child Care Program Closures and Steps to Ensure Housing Stability To Support COVID-19 Response 

3/25/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces COVID-19 Response Command Center Advisory Board of Medical Experts, Infectious Disease Specialists 

3/25/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department Reports Two More COVID-19 Deaths, Bringing Total Number in the State to 11; State Case Count Now at 1,159 

3/24/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Launches a COVID-19 Text Message Notification System Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 for Important Updates 

3/24/2020 Press Release

DPH Public Health Advisory: Stay-at-Home Advisory 

3/24/2020 Advisory

Baker-Polito Administration Files Legislation to Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities, School Districts During COVID-19 Outbreak 

3/24/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department Reports Four More Deaths from COVID-19, Bringing the Total Number in the State to Nine 

3/23/2020 Press Release

Governor Charlie Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses To Cease In Person Operation, Directs the Department of Public Health to Issue Stay at Home Advisory For Two Weeks 

3/23/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department reports three more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the total number in the state to five 

3/22/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department Reports State’s Second Death from COVID-19 

3/21/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Health Care Resources, Small Business Relief, Other Efforts To Support COVID-19 Response 

3/20/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Public Health Department Reports State’s First Death from COVID-19 

3/20/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Activates Massachusetts National Guard to Support COVID-19 Response 

3/19/2020 Press Release

SBA Approves Massachusetts Disaster Declaration  

3/18/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Makes New Announcements on Childcare, Small Business Tax Relief and Unemployment Insurance Legislation Related to COVID-19  

3/18/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Issues New Guidance for Executive Branch Employees 

3/17/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Changes To Expedite Health Care Licensing, Increase Support For Local Boards Of Health And Small Businesses 

3/17/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $10 Million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund 

3/16/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Actions to Address COVID-19 

3/15/2020 Press Release

Statement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on patient testing for COVID-19 

3/15/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Clinical Protocols for COVID-19 Testing 

3/14/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Launches COVID-19 Response Command Center 

3/14/2020 Press Release

State Health Officials Announce Launch of 2-1-1 to Provide COVID-19 Information and Referrals 24/7 

3/13/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker Issues Order Limiting Large Gatherings in the Commonwealth 

3/13/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Issues Guidelines to Assisted Living Facilities, Community-Based Providers and Other Caregivers to Reduce Risk of Coronavirus 

3/12/2020 Press Release

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Order Modifying the State’s Open Meeting Law 

3/12/20 Press Release

Massachusetts Issues Policies and Procedures Restricting Visitors to Nursing Homes and Rest Homes to Reduce Risk of Coronavirus 

3/11/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker Declares State of Emergency to Support Commonwealth’s Response to Coronavirus  

3/10/2020 Press Release

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Updates New COVID-19 Cases in New Online Dashboard  

3/09/2020 Advisory

15 New Presumptive Positive Cases of COVID-19 Identified by Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory  

3/08/2020 Press Release

Five New Presumptive Positive Cases of COVID-19 Identified by Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory  

3/07/2020 Press Release

Five New Presumptive Positive Cases of COVID-19 Identified by Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory 

3/06/2020 Press Release

Second Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 Identified by Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory  

3/05/2020 Press Release

Governor Baker and State Health Officials Discuss Community Preparedness With Health Care, Infectious Disease Experts and Front Line Leaders  

3/04/2020 Press Release

First Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 Identified by Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory  

3/02/2020 Press Release

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