• Case Counts: As of 6 p.m., July 5, a total of 999 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 923 have since recovered, and sadly there have been 31 deaths. See more Somerville case data on the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

• Phase III reopening: Somerville is moving at a more cautious schedule for the reopening of Phase III businesses. Outside of Phase III health and human service providers, no other currently closed establishments in Somerville will reopen prior to July 13, which is the reopening date set by the Governor just for Boston. (The reopening date for the rest of the state was set for July 6.) Updated guidelines for gatherings will also not go into effect until July 13 at the earliest. This will give City officials time to continue working with business owners to create safety protocols. In some cases, opening dates later than July 13 may be set as a result. More information will be coming over the next week.

• Paycheck Protection Program extended: Businesses can apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through Saturday, August 8. PPP loans are administered through the Small Business Administration and help businesses keep workers on their payroll. For more information on applying for a PPP loan, click HERE. For other business assistance, visit somervillema.gov/covidbizhelp.

• Somerville’s eviction moratorium remains in effect: The City of Somerville’s moratorium on residential and commercial evictions is still in place and will remain in effect until the City’s state of emergency is lifted. The State’s moratorium on residential and small-business evictions will expire on Tuesday, August 18, unless Gov. Charlie Baker extends it. Along with the eviction moratorium, the City has worked to get relief to both tenants and small landlords by helping residents to obtain rental assistance from the State and local non-profit agencies through the Office of Housing Stability and the Office of Immigrant Affairs. The City also recently allocated $1.5 million of CARES Act funding for additional rental assistance, which will soon become available to those most in need through non-profit partners in the community.

• City services reminder: To find out how you can access specific City services while City buildings are closed to the public, visit the “City Services Status” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19. Here are reminders about a few services we’ve been getting questions about:
  • Waste disposal: Yard waste, e-waste, and household hazardous waste drop-offs at DPW have been suspended until further notice. Curbside yard waste and textile recycling (in the pink bags) collection is happening on a regular schedule.
  • Marriage licenses: Somerville residents can now apply for marriage licenses in Somerville, but it may take up to three weeks to process them. For information on how to apply for a marriage license in Somerville, visit the “City Services Status” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19.
  • Libraries: The Somerville Public Library is now offering contactless pickup at all three branches. Patrons can request Somerville library materials online using their Minuteman account. Library staff will then notify patrons by either email or phone when their items are ready to be picked up. Pickup appointments will be scheduled by using the Library’s online appointment system on somervillepubliclibrary.org, or by calling the Somerville Public Library at 617-623-5000.

• Take a “chance” on a reimagined ArtBeat: This year’s ArtBeat festival is still on, but in a new way to keep everyone safe. Taking place from July 10 to 18, this year’s ArtBeat will feature virtual as well as safe real-life happenings all centered around the theme of “Chance.” To find out how you can catch a performance or see an installation, visit somervilleartscouncil.org/artbeat/2020. Arts Council staff members are working on updating the full schedule, so don’t forget to check back throughout the week.

• Free COVID-19 testing at Somerville Hospital: The Somerville Board of Health strongly urges all residents to be tested for COVID-19. The more people that get tested, the safer our reopening will be. You do not need to have symptoms or a doctor’s referral. To sign up for free COVID-19 testing for Somerville residents, call 617-665-2928, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Mobile testing available: The City of Somerville, Cataldo Ambulance, and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) opened a mobile COVID-19 testing unit in June in addition to the test site outside Somerville Hospital. The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations. To be tested, you do not need to be symptomatic and do not need insurance or a doctor’s referral. Immigration status will not be checked. But you must be a Somerville resident and MUST CALL 617-682-0583 to set up an appointment. This number is answered during regular City Hall business hours (8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday; 8:30-7:30 Thursday; 8:30-12:30 Friday). Please leave a voicemail if your call is not answered and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Because of the volume of calls, there could be a short delay in getting a response. You can find the schedule of upcoming testing times and locations under the “Symptoms, Testing, & Medical Info” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19.

Today’s Assistance Tip: Accessing Mental Health Services