Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein reports that the Town of Swansea remains in the Commonwealth’s “Red” High-Risk designation for the fourth week in a row, and urges residents to continue to closely follow COVID-19 prevention guidance.
According to the public health data released on Thursday, Dec. 3, Swansea remains a “Red” High Risk community. According to the data, Swansea has had a total of 115 positive cases within the 14 days prior to the data being released.
“As the holidays approach, it is imperative that everyone does their part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Town Administrator Aronstein said. “Due to our continued “Red” designation, the Town of Swansea will limit some of our services to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff. As always, we urge residents to wear their masks, abide by social distancing guidelines and closely follow all other COVID-19 guidance.”
Town Updates
Due to the town’s “Red” designation over four consecutive weeks, Swansea reverted back to Phase 3, Step 1 of Gov. Charlie Baker’s four-phase approach for reopening.
As part of Phase 3, Step 1, Swansea will once again follow the below protocols:
- Outdoor performance venue capacity will remain at 25% with a max of 50 people
- Indoor theaters and performance venues remain closed
- Arcades and indoor/outdoor recreation businesses with activities such as trampolines, obstacle courses, roller rinks and laser tag must remain closed
- Fitting rooms must remain closed
- Gyms, museums, libraries and driving/flight schools must keep their capacity at 40%
- Outdoor gatherings at event venues and in public settings will be limited to 50 people and cannot increase to 100.
Further information on sector-specific protocols can be found here.
The Town Hall and Town Hall Annex continue to operate with limited public access. Residents needing assistance are asked to call the individual departments as needed for additional information.
Library Updates
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases within the community, the Swansea Free Public Library will temporarily be closed to the public.
Patrons will still be able to access library services with contact-free “curbside” pickup, homebound delivery, virtual programming and telephone services during the reduced operation hours.
Books and DVDs will be available via curbside pickup. Notary public service, photocopying, faxing and printing will be available by appointment only, via the library’s curbside service.
The Swansea Free Public Library will have curbside pickup available Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Anyone with questions should contact the library at 508-674-9609.
Council on Aging Updates
The Council on Aging remains closed to the public, but limited services continue to be offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 5 p.m. on Wednesdays only.
- Transportation: The Council on Aging (COA) offers medical transportation services Monday through Friday to Swansea seniors. Town residents under the age of 60 (with a documented disability) may also be eligible for this service. Registration, scheduling and other information on restrictions can be obtained by calling the COA.
- SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone): Medicare beneficiaries residing in Swansea can access health insurance counselling. Appointments are conducted over the telephone and information can be exchanged via email, fax or mail.
- Grocery Assistance: Due to Swansea’s “Red” High Risk designation, transportation to and from local grocery stores has been temporarily suspended. Any Swansea senior who is isolated and has no other access to groceries may call the COA to request emergency assistance.
- Meals on Wheels: Bristol Elder Services, Inc., (BES) continues to deliver Meals on Wheels to Swansea’s homebound seniors. For more information or to register, please call BES at 508-324-4619.
- Virtual Programming: The COA recognizes how devastating social isolation can be, especially for seniors. To combat isolation and depression, Swansea’s COA is offering free virtual programming. Programming includes trivia, games, discussion groups and fitness programs that are offered through Zoom.
- Technology with Tables: Any Swansea senior without a tablet can request one so they can participate in the COA’s virtual programming. Seniors interested in receiving a tablet must have have access to Wi-Fi in order to participate. To request a tablet, call the COA.
- Swansea COA Fun Page: Swansea’s COA has added a “Fun Page” to it’s website to help keep seniors engaged. To visit the page, click here.
- Activity Packets: The Swansea COA has a variety of printed materials (adult coloring pages, word search and other items) available to keep Swansea seniors engaged. Request a packet by calling the COA.
For more information regarding any of the programs or services, please call the COA at 508-676-1831.
Stay Safe
Swansea public health officials continue to urge residents to practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and limit their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household. Residents are also encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 if they have any symptoms (abdominal pain, chills, cough, headaches, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, loss of taste/smell, muscle aches/pains, shortness of breath, sore throat or vomiting) or if they have been a close contact of a positive case.
The closest Stop the Spread testing site is located in Fall River. For information about testing availability through the Stop the Spread initiative, click here, and for more information on other nearby testing locations, click here.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the CDC website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.
Additional information regarding the Town of Swansea’s response to COVID-19 can be found on the Town’s website, www.town.swansea.ma.us and on the Town’s official COVID-19 blog, swanseacovid19.com. Residents are also encouraged to follow the Town of Swansea’s Facebook page for the latest town updates.
Swansea residents with questions may additionally contact the Swansea Board of Health at 508-324-6704.
###