Here is the COVID-19 update for Wednesday, December 23. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Latest news:

• When will you be able to get the vaccine?: People in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including healthcare workers, first responders, and people living in long-term care facilities, have already started getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Phase 2 of the rollout is expected to begin in February and includes people 65 and older, frontline workers, and people with certain conditions that leave them more vulnerable to COVID-19. If you are eligible to get a vaccine when phase 2 begins, we’re asking that you make sure to pay attention to vaccine-related information as it’s released to help you make a plan to get vaccinated. Your healthcare provider, urgent care, or community health center should also be able to help you determine if you are in the “certain conditions” category. We’ll be sharing updates in these emails and at somervillema.gov/covid19.

• Additional $5 million in local business assistance coming: Last week the City Council approved a request from Mayor Curtatone to allocate $5 million for local business stabilization. Stay tuned for more information on how business owners can apply for funding. For more updates on support available to businesses, sign up for the Economic Development newsletter HERE.

• Somerville rolls back reopenings to a modified version of Phase 2, Step 2: Because of the growing spread of COVID-19 in the city, region, state, and country, on December 16, Somerville temporarily rolled back reopenings to a modified version of the State’s Phase 2, Step 2 reopening plan. The following businesses are once again closed through at least January 6:
  • Indoor fitness centers and health clubs, including gyms using alternative spaces. One-on-one personal training sessions are allowed.
  • Indoor non-athletic instructional classes in arts, education & life sciences for persons 18 years and older
  • Indoor recreational and athletic facilities (except for youth 18 and under), indoor pools may remain open for all ages under pre-registration format structure limited to one person per swim lane
  • Indoor recreational venues with potential for low-contact (for example, ax throwing, rock-climbing except for youth under 18, etc.)

• State sets new capacity guidelines: Starting December 26, restaurants, houses of worship, and most businesses will have to adhere to a 25% capacity limit. The new State guidelines are in place until at least January 10. For more information, see the State’s website. Somerville’s local limit of 10 people for indoor and outdoor gatherings remains in place. The State has now also lowered all indoor gatherings, private or public, to no more than 10 persons, but to help slow the current surge, you can do your part by not gathering indoors with any persons you do not live with.

• Somerville’s First Flag raising goes virtual: On January 1, 1776, George Washington had the Grand Union flag raised on Prospect Hill. Each year we gather at Prospect Hill to commemorate the historic event, but this year the celebration will be virtual. Starting January 1, you can catch a recording of this year’s modified ceremony on City TV and the City’s YouTube channel.

• Free COVID-19 testing: CHA Somerville Hospital offers free testing at Assembly Row. To make an appointment, call 617-665-2928 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.). The mobile COVID-19 testing unit also offers testing in our neighborhoods. Mobile testing schedules, as they become available, and more information on both can be found at somervillema.gov/covidtesting. The State also operates several Stop the Spread testing sites, including in the nearby communities of Chelsea and Everett. For more information, visit the State’s website.

Public Health Tip: It’s open enrollment time for the Massachusetts Health Connector