City of Revere Response to COVID-19: March 30, 2020 Update
March 30, 2020
Unemployment and Food Assistance Support Hotline Launches
City to Waive Convenience Fees for All Online Transactions
March 30, 2020 – The City of Revere’s Emergency Response Team continues to take proactive steps to slow community transmission of COVID-19 and prepare for further spread of the virus.
As of today, March 30, 2020, the Revere Board of Health has been notified by the Massachusetts Department of Health of 113 positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Revere. This increase represents a significant jump from last Monday, when the city had just eight cases.
Today the City’s partners at The Neighborhood Developers and CONNECT launched an English/Spanish hotline for community members who need help accessing crucial resources. The CONNECT hotline (617-712-3487) will be staffed 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and is equipped to help people apply for SNAP food assistance, unemployment benefits, and connect to the Internet or work through other technology challenges.
“As positive case numbers continue to rise in our City, we are working to remove as many barriers to resources and information as possible,” Mayor Arrigo said. “This pandemic has been devastating for so many of our hard-working residents that have found themselves without work and means to provide for their families. Our partners at The Neighborhood Developers and CONNECT have always been here to support our community through innovative programming, and the launch of this hotline is going to have a real, immediate impact.”
The City also announced today it will waive convenience fees for all online transactions, in support of the Department of Public Health’s Stay at Home Advisory. Beginning this week, residents will be able to pay taxes, permit fees and fines at Revere.org/bill-pay without the added 3% or minimum $1.95 convenience fees.
The Mayor is being briefed daily by members of his Emergency Response Team to coordinate efforts across City departments. He and City officials continue to join daily briefings with state and federal officials to coordinate containment strategies regionally. All updates for Revere residents are being shared regularly at Revere.org/coronavirus and via social media.
City Services Updates
- Mayor Arrigo declared a State of Emergency in the City of Revere on March 19, 2020.
- There are no disruptions to basic City services provided by Revere Police, Fire, EMS, Department of Public Works and Revere 311.
- Residents should subscribe for email and text message notifications at revere.org/coronavirus.
- Revere 311 remains fully staffed and residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach the City by dialing 311 (or 781-286-8311) or emailing Revere311@revere.org.
- All City buildings are closed to the public until further notice, and services to residents remain available at Revere.org.
- All City parks and playgrounds are closed until further notice.
- Revere Public Schools’ grab-and-go meal services are available to all students and families at all eight school sites. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to any child that needs it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Children will receive meals for multiple days at each pick up.
- Effective March 28, all restaurants along Revere Beach Boulevard have voluntarily shifted to delivery-only or closed.
- A mutual aid informational packet for residents is now available on Revere.org, providing a wide range of resources related to issues like access to food, health care, transportation, housing rights and more. The online document will be updated daily at 4 p.m.
- The City of Revere has published a page that outlines resources for impacted small businesses, employers, non-profits, and/or workers. The page will be updated by City staff on an ongoing basis.
- The City of Revere’s volunteer database is open for individuals seeking to lend a helping hand over the next several weeks.
Actions for All Revere Residents to Take
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a "Stay At Home" Advisory for all residents, and Governor Baker has prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people. Stay at Home means avoiding any unnecessary travel and activities for the next two weeks. Residents over the age of 70 or with underlying health conditions should limit interactions with other people as much as possible.
The Centers for Disease Control has advised the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, and has provided a number of basic steps all citizens can take to protect themselves, including: washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.