Update: March 26, 2020
COVID MA Text Alerts
To get up-to-date alerts, text COVIDMA to 888-777
Get the latest info about the Coronavirus in Massachusetts sent right to your phone
You can also call the informational and referral hotline, 211.
Update: March 25, 2020
Today, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order addressing operation of grocery stores and pharmacies. View HERE
Update: March 23, 2020
Today, Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. These businesses are encouraged to continue operations remotely.
The Baker-Polito Administration issued a list of designated businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19 that shall continue to operate brick and mortar facilities during this two-week time period. This list is based on federal guidance and amended to reflect the needs of Massachusetts’ unique economy. While these businesses are designated as essential, they are urged to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health.
Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order.
Restaurants, bars, and other establishments that sell food and beverage products to the public are encouraged to continue to offer food for take-out and by delivery if they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health guidance. On-premises consumption of food or drink is prohibited.
Due to evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.
The Baker-Polito Administration does not believe Massachusetts residents can be confined to their homes and does not support home confinement for public health reasons.
The Baker-Polito Administration Order also limits gatherings to 10 people during the state of emergency, a reduction from the 25 person limit established in an earlier order.
This includes community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, and any similar event or activity that brings together more than 10 persons in any confined indoor or outdoor space. The order does not prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people in an outdoor space, like a park or athletic field.
View Essential Services List HERE
Update: March 22, 2020
EMERGENCY ORDER REGARDING PERSONAL CARE SERVICES AND RETAIL STORES
Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 104, the Town of Barnstable Board of Health issues the following emergency order:
Due to the ongoing novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and in recognition of the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency and recent Centers for Disease Control and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance to follow social distancing protocols that encourage individuals to stay six feet apart, an emergency exists within the Town of Barnstable in which the interest of protecting public health requires immediate discontinuation of all non-essential personal care services offered to the public which necessitate physical contact or sustained proximity of distances less than six feet.
Effective 12:00 Noon Monday, March 23, 2020, all non-essential personal care services offered to the public within the Town of Barnstable which require physical contact or sustained proximity of distances less than six feet are hereby discontinued. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Hairdressers and barbers
• Nail Salons
• Massage services.
• Bodywork services
• Body art (tattoo and body piercing) services
This order does not apply to the following essential services:
• Services provided by a licensed healthcare provider, including but not limited to the practice of medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, mental health services, and veterinary services.
• Services provided by “exempt emergency child care programs” for the children of emergency workers.
This emergency order shall remain in effect until further notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health’s judgment, that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists.
Additionally, the Board of Health is encouraging all retail establishments that do not sell essential commodities such as food, medicine, or cleaning supplies to consider voluntarily closing until April 6, 2020. The Board of Health is recommending that all retail establishments that do stay open should only do so if owners/operators of establishments can assure customers will be able to maintain social distancing practices consistent with CDC guidelines.
Update: March 19, 2020
Effective Friday, March 20, 2020, as a precautionary measure to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and in the interest of the health and well-being of our employees and the residents of the Town of Barnstable, most town buildings are closed to the public. It is our hope that we will re-open to the public on Monday, April 6th. We are making adjustments to our business operations to ensure resources are focused where the need is greatest. Please understand the fluid nature of this situation and that we are reassessing and adapting our response as needed to this developing situation. Public access to 200 Main Street and the Town Hall Offices is now by appointment only. Information on how you can work remotely with Town Offices is available on the Town of Barnstable’s website HERE and Barnstable Board of Health HERE http://www.BarnstableHealth.com. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding throughout this serious situation.
A listing of Town owned buildings that have closed is listed HERE.
Treasurer’s Office
Payments
Effective immediately, the Treasurer’s Office will be accepting payments either through mail or payments may be placed in the drop box located outside Town Hall next to the walkway leading to Town Hall. No cash is to be mailed or left in the drop box.
Tax Title Accounts
Account information will be available by calling the Treasurer’s office at 508-862-4661 or 508-862-4656. Taxpayers will be advised to:
- mail in checks to Town of Barnstable, Treasurer’s Office, 230 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
- leave check payments in the outside drop box located next to the walkway leading to Town Hall
Tax Collector’s Office
Payments
Effective immediately, the Tax Collector’s Office will be accepting payments either through mail or payments may be placed in the drop box located outside Town Hall next to the walkway leading to Town Hall. No cash is to be mailed or left in the drop box.
Account information will be available by calling the Collector’s office at 508-862-4055, 508-862-4053 or 508-862-4060.
Payments for Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes and Sewer bills may be paid by the following methods:
- online thru the Town of Barnstable website under Quicklinks/Pay bills online
- mailing checks using the envelope provided with the bills
- mailing checks to the Town of Barnstable, PO Box 40, Hyannis, MA 02601
- leave check payments in the outside drop box located next to the walkway leading to Town Hall
The 4th Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property taxes that are due on May 1, 2020 will be available to be paid online via the Town’s website effective April 1, 2020 or via the methods detailed above.
Past due and Demand bills cannot be paid online. Payments should be mailed to Town of Barnstable, PO Box 40, Hyannis, MA 02601
Boat Excise tax payments can be made by:
- Mailing checks to the Town of Barnstable, PO Box 40, Hyannis, MA 02601
- Leave check payments in the outside drop box located next to the walkway leading to Town Hall
Assessor’s Office
Abatement Applications
Abatement forms are available on the town’s website at https://www.townofbarnstable.us/Departments/Assessing/
Completed forms can be mailed to Town of Barnstable Assessor, 367 Main. St. Hyannis, MA 02601.
Property Information
Inquiries regarding property values can be requested by email to assessor@town.barnstable.ma.us or you can call 508.862.4022 or 508.862.4020.
Forms
All other forms are available at https://www.townofbarnstable.us/Departments/Assessing/
Permit applications will continue to be accepted and processed according to local and state requirements. Applications and associated materials should be submitted electronically to the extent legally possible.
Town Clerk’s Office
A drop off location for paper applications has been established in the front vestibule at 367 Main Street.
If your request does not need immediate attention, please use the drop off location for nomination papers, birth, death, and marriage certificates established in the front vestibule at 367 Main Street. Please submit your request in the lock box and call us on 508-862-4044.
Instructions for Making an Appointment with Staff
If you would like to make an appointment with a staff member, please call 508-862-4044.
Appointments will not be made with any person experiencing cough, fever, or shortness of breath; anyone tested positive for COVID-19; anyone who has been exposed to a tested positive COVID-19 case; or anyone directed to self-quarantine.
Staff will ask you to confirm you do not meet any of these criteria upon making the appointment and upon arrival at the appointment.
200 Main Street
Instructions for Dropping Off Permit Applications
- Include a contact name, and telephone number and/or e-mail address.
- Do not submit payment with the application. It will be collected at a later time.
- There will be a minimum 48 hour delay between the time an application is dropped off and when it is officially received.
- A staff member will contact you to confirm receipt of the application and with comments and/or instructions and to arrange payment of fees.
Instructions for Making an Appointment with Staff
If you would like to make an appointment with a staff member, please call or e-mail the contact listed.
Appointments will not be made with any person experiencing cough, fever, or shortness of breath; anyone tested positive for COVID-19; anyone who has been exposed to a tested positive COVID-19 case; or anyone directed to self-quarantine.
Staff will ask you to confirm you do not meet any of these criteria upon making the appointment and upon arrival at the appointment.
View Updated Information and Emergency Actions by the Governor HERE
Governor Baker Declares State of Emergency
State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19 issued March 10, 2020
View Executive Order No. 591: HERE
As of this writing, Massachusetts has one confirmed case of COVID-19 and the risk to our residents remains low. At the same time, the risk for the influenza virus is very high. It is important to note that residents are much more likely to become sick with a cold or the flu than to be exposed to COVID-19.
The Barnstable Health Division is increasing efforts to provide flu prevention strategies to the public. Over 8,000 people in this country die each year from influenza. Many of the symptoms of Influenza and Coronavirus are similar and some of the precautions are the same. Basic precautions include:
- Frequent hand-washing, for 20 seconds with soap.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Cough hygiene – into a tissue when possible (throw it away immediately) or into your arm if necessary.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with those who are ill.
- Stay home yourself from work or school when ill.
We continue to have a supply of seasonal flu vaccine available. Appointments can be scheduled with our Public Health Nurse, Margaret Stanton R.N, by calling her directly at 508-862-4648.
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