Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini has named a blue-ribbon committee to advise the city and, particularly, the schools on COVID-19-related reopening concerns.
Besides the initial focus on school reopenings, the mayor said, the Medical Advisory Panel will recommend approaches to expanding virus testing, preparations in case of a second wave of the coronavirus, public outreach on face mask policy and a unified policy for city employees if one becomes ill or is exposed to illness.
“Whatever we do, it has to be safe,” Fiorentini said in a statement. He added the city will primarily rely upon the state for guidance, but “this local panel can also assist us with strictly local issues.”
Those appointed are Haverhill Board of Health Chairman Romie Mundy, Health Board member Alexander Matolcsy, school physician John Maddox, Director of Health and Nursing Services Katie Vozeolas, Public Health Nurse Mary Connolly and Pentucket Medical’s Chief Physician Executive Bomba Gerrett.
While the medical panel has no regulatory authority, the administration noted, two members also serve on the Board of Health which may set policy.