Selectmen Declare a State of Emergency for Hingham

By Carol Meyer​
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The Selectmen declared a state of emergency for Hingham on Tuesday in response to the coronavirus threat.

At the same time, there were high praises for town officials and town department staff for their extraordinary efforts to maintain essential services during this challenging time.​

Many Hingham government offices are now closed or their operations altered in an effort to help slow the spread of the coronavirus and to help keep residents and town employees safe.​

Town officials say this state of emergency declaration, backdated to March 13, is a practical measure to ensure the town is in the best position "to take all actions necessary to protect the public health, safety, or general welfare of its residents, businesses, and employees" and to further ensure that the town "may fully coordinate with and obtain any available assistance and resources from the state and local government" as needed.

"During Hingham's nearly 400 years of existence, this town has always cared for our neighbors and friends. We look out for each other," the selectmen said in a statement about the state of emergency declaration. "Our social bonds and cultural awareness set us apart."​

Accordingly, the Selectmen are asking all citizens to take the state and federal guidelines surrounding social distancing seriously, and to avoid even small gatherings to help prevent the inadvertent spread of COVID-19.​

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge(s) that the town and you as a citizen are facing during this crisis?

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