PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 25, 2021
TOWN OF GROTON – COVID-19 UPDATE
Now that Governor Baker has issued new guidelines concerning the State’s COVID-19 Restrictions and will end the State of Emergency, effective June 15, 2021, the Groton Select Board and Groton Town Manager have revised the Town’s COVID-19 Protocols to essentially return to “business as usual”.
To that end, the following actions will take effect on June 1, 2021 (unless otherwise noted):
- The Groton Town Hall will open to the Public on June 1, 2021. Appointments will no longer be required. Employees and Members of the Public who are fully vaccinated (people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series [Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna], or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine [Johnson and Johnson]) will not be required to wear masks while in the Town Hall. Proof of vaccination may be required. Non-vaccinated employees and members of the Public will be required to wear masks when in Town Hall.
- Effective June 7, 2021, all Board, Committee and Commission meetings will return to “in-person” meetings. The Select Board’s original policy on remote participation in compliance with the Open Meeting Law will be in effect. Similar to the above, fully vaccinated committee/board members and members of the public will not be required to wear masks at these “in-person” meetings, but non-vaccinated committee/board members and members of the public will be required to wear masks. Proof of vaccination may be required.
- The Groton Country Club will return to full operation. All capacity limits at the Groton Country Club Pool and Summer Camps have been removed. Reservations at the pool will no longer be required effective May 29, 2021. This protocol is subject to change should the Department of Public Health or Local Board of Health issue further guidelines for these kinds of activities. With regard to the Summer Camps, masks will only be required to be worn for any indoor activity. Again, these protocols are subject to change should the State issue any further guidelines.
- The Select Board’s temporary leash law will end on June 15, 2021 when the Governor lifts the State of Emergency. However, the Town’s current Dog Bylaw does in fact require all dogs on public property be under the control of the owner by means of a leash. Effective June 15, 2021, the Police Department and Animal Control Officers will strictly enforce the current Bylaw by requiring all dogs on public property to be restrained by a leash.
Sincerely,
Mark W. Haddad
Town Manager
