Please also be sure to check www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus for additional information on the city’s COVID-19 response and resources available to residents and businesses during this public health crisis. The website is updated frequently as more information becomes available.

Latest news:

• As of 9:00 a.m. today, April 2, a total of 76 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 20 of them have since recovered, and sadly one person has passed away.

• As of noon, April 1, Cambridge has had 86 cases and 1 death. Boston has had 938 cases, 68 recovered, and 3 deaths.

• Governor Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4. The ban on social gatherings larger than 10 people will also extend to May 4. (The City of Somerville strongly advises community members to only gather for essential purposes such as weddings and funerals. Groups up to ten people greatly increase risk of virus spread.

• City Cable TV is posting videos of all alert system updates, short videos self-recorded by staff updating the public on city COVID-19 efforts and programs, CDC updates and other health info, library and recreation programs, and more. Please share this with others, but especially with those you know who are not inclined to use email or the Internet, that this alternative resource is available. To give us all a break, the Educational Channel is also posting recordings of past local games and will soon be sharing new content from the schools. Watch at RCN Channels 13, 15, and 613, Comcast Channels 13, 15, and 22, or www.YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV.

• The $2 trillion CARE Act provides a range of support including access to unemployment for freelancers, gig workers, and the self-employed, some of whom have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 impacts. As of today, the state has not yet posted guidelines on how these workers can apply for unemployment, but workers are advised to check www.mass.gov/dua daily for when this is posted. For now, this CNBC article has helpful information on other possible support.

Today’s Assistance Tip:
Some Somerville grocery stores are offering shopping times reserved just for seniors, who are at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms. Some stores have also changed their hours during the emergency. If you need financial or other assistance to access food, please visit www.somervillema.gov/CoronaVirusHelp for information on resources that can help.

• Market Basket
  • New Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. every day
  • Senior-Only Shopping: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5:30 – 7:00 a.m.

• Star Market
  • New Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. every day
  • Senior-Only Shopping: 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Stop and Shop
  • Senior-Only (60+) Shopping: 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. every day

• Trader Joe’s
  • New Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. every day
  • Seniors: Every day between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., a separate line will be maintained outside the front door for senior customers to have expedited entry

Today’s Public Health Tip:
City staff are working closely with local grocery stores to implement safety measures to protect staff and customers during the COVID-19 crisis. Some examples of what stores are doing includes marking out 6-foot spacing, cleaning carts and having sanitizing stations, making announcements reminding customers to social distance, and staggering which registers are open to encourage spreading out. These measures only work, though, if everyone follows them.

You can help by remaining 6-feet away from other shoppers, touching only the items you will buy, and, if you have a car, you could consider shopping farther out of the city where aisles are wider and there may be fewer shoppers.

We all have to get groceries, so let’s make it as safe for everyone as possible.