Update: The Board has decided to meet remotely with members tuning in via teleconference. The story below reflects that change.
The Haverhill Board of Health is meeting in an emergency session Monday to decide whether to impose additional restrictions on business to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus.
While Gov. Charlie Baker has already closed non-essential businesses, the Board of Health will consider restrictions on businesses that remain open and considered “essential.” Questions before members are whether the Board should:
- Require employers to provide masks for essential workers.
- Allow essential workers who bring their own masks to be able to wear them.
- Require employers with more than 100 essential employees screen them for high temperatures before reporting to work.
The meeting comes as Haverhill reports 10 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 124. Of these, seven are hospitalized and 35 are considered to have recovered. Methuen reports 175 confirmed cases with 24 who have recovered and four who have died. No deaths have been reported in Haverhill.
The Board of Health is composed of Chairman Peter Carbone, Dr. Alexander Matolcsy and Dr. Romie Mundy. It meets Monday, April 13, 3 p.m., via teleconference.