Governor: Students out of school until May 4, but plastic bags return to Grafton stores
Gov. Charlie Baker has extended school closures through May 4, stressing that this extended time out of the classroom is not a school vacation.
On March 15, Baker ordered a three-week shutdown of schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning March 17 and lasting until April 7.
Baker, in his daily press conference, praised educators for rising to the challenge of creating online curriculum with little time to prepare. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will work with school districts to develop more educational program for students at home.
“This will allow school districts to provide the best possible opportunities for remote learning to all students,” he said.
Baker also announced a partnership between the state and WGBH to televise educational programming from noon to 5 p.m., in part to reach students who do not have access to computers.
In another change, Baker has lifted all bans on the use of plastic bags in stores. Grafton is among several communities in the state to have a plastic bag ban but with the risk of viral contamination on reusable bags, Baker is instructing stores to offer paper and plastic bags free of charge.
Grocery stores are also required to provide separate hours for high-risk individuals, including senior citizens, and provide hand sanitizer and wipes to shoppers while in the store.
Prepared food stations in stores must now be closed. Stores are required to offer accommodation to employees who are at risk for infection.
“We said this many times, ‘if you feel sick, don’t go to work.’ Call your provider,” Baker said.
There are now 1,838 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, including 129 in Worcester county and three in Grafton. There have been a total of 15 deaths in the state and 103 hosptalizations.
