LYNN — All public municipal buildings including City Hall, the Department of Public Works, library and the police and fire departments will fully reopen to the public beginning Tuesday.
These buildings closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the decision to reopen follows the state reopening guidance announced by Gov. Charlie Baker, which will lift most COVID-19 restrictions on Saturday.
The main entrance to City Hall from City Hall Square will be available during the building’s business hours; visitors will no longer need to check in at the Johnson Street entrance.
Fully-vaccinated individuals, including employees and visitors, are no longer required to wear a face covering in these public buildings, but it is recommended that individuals who have not been vaccinated continue to wear face coverings.
Hand-sanitizing stations will remain operational within City Hall, and social distancing will still be encouraged.
“We are only able to move forward to reopen these public buildings thanks to the incredible work that was done by our Lynn Public Health Department, City Hall staff, Emergency Services personnel and all of the essential workers who allowed us to continue to operate and offer city services throughout this pandemic while protecting the health and safety of our Lynn residents,” Mayor Thomas M. McGee said. “Finally, I want to thank all of our residents for their cooperation and support in following the health and safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
The existing City of Lynn State of Emergency Declaration order, issued by McGee, and the Lynn Board of Health Public Health Emergency Declaration order — both issued on March 17, 2020 — will be rescinded as of June 15 to align with Baker’s announcement last week that the State of Emergency order will be rescinded on that same date.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my public health nurses and staff who have been invaluable and committed members of my team over the last 15 months,” said Public Health Director Michele Desmarais. “While we are showing promising signs of a return to normal, as fewer people are infected with the virus, I still want to encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Baker filed legislation this week to extend certain COVID-19 emergency measures, including the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law, which allows public bodies to convene remotely, and special permits for restaurants offering outdoor dining.
If Baker’s proposed legislation is passed, the open meeting law provisions will be extended until Sep. 1 and the outdoor dining special permits will be extended through Nov. 29.
Without the legislature’s approval of this extension, special permits granted under Baker’s 2020 emergency order will expire on Aug. 15. Any restaurant or food establishment wishing to have permanent outdoor dining should file for a permanent extension of premises with the Lynn License Commission.
Interested parties may contact Deb Ginivan in the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] for more information.
Meetings of the City Council, School Committee and City boards and committees may be changed to in-person only, a combination in-person and remote, or a fully-remote meeting, pending passage of Baker’s proposed Open Meeting Law legislation.
Residents should check the city’s online meeting and events calendar and the appropriate board or committee page for any updated information on meetings and how to access them in accordance with the law.
