Here is a rundown of the most timely updates related to the Town of Brookline’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and what you should know for March 19, 2020. The Town of Brookline is committed to providing regular updates on the COVID-19 situation as they become available.
Case Count
There are currently eight positive cases in Brookline, with 15 individuals who are not sick in quarantine. Eight people have been released from quarantine.
The most up to date info on cases in town will be posted at https://brooklinecovid19.com/cases/.
Schools Offering Learning Resources
The Public Schools of Brookline are offering resources to help students and parents cope with the interruption to students’ learning and routines.
While not intended as substitutes for classroom instruction, the materials serve as a framework meant to provide families with opportunities to support their children’s learning while they are away from school. Educators and staff are actively developing strategies to continue engaging with students while schools are closed
The resources for students in kindergarten through eighth grade are on the district’s website and accessible here. The resources are also accessible via BrooklineCOVID19.com.
Beginning on Friday, March 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m., families who do not have a working digital device at home can pick up a free school-issued Chromebook to borrow while schools remain closed. Interested families should complete a request form online.
Families that do have a home computer or device that provides students adequate access to online resources are asked not to request a Chromebook.
Additionally, Comcast will be providing two months of free internet service to qualifying families through its Internet Essential program. Click here to learn more and apply.
Brookline COVID-19 Call Center and Email
For general COVID-19 questions not specific to the Town of Brookline, please call the state 211 line.
The Town of Brookline has established a call center in order for residents to ask non-medical questions specific to COVID-19 in Brookline. The call center will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The number for the call center is 617-879-5636.
Residents seeking answers to Brookline-specific medical or public health inquiries should continue to contact the Brookline Department of Public Health at 617-730-2300.
Messages left after hours will be returned the next day. Residents can also email their non-medical inquiries to: COVID19Info@brooklinema.gov.
Remember, in the case of emergencies, please call 911.
What’s Closed
The town posts active closures and cancellations online at brooklinecovid19.com/active-closures.
- Town Hall and other town facilities — except parks — are closed to the public until further notice. While parks remain open, visitors should take care to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Residents should visit brooklinema.gov to learn how they can conduct much of their transactions and business with the town online, as well as find the contact information for the departments they need to work with.
- All non-essential board and committee meetings are cancelled through April 30.
- Public Schools of Brookline are closed through at least Monday, April 6. All after-school activities and school-sponsored events are cancelled until further notice.
- Town playgrounds are closed until further notice.
- Council on Aging activities are cancelled through at least March 27.
- The senior center is closed through at least March 27.
- Recreation activities are cancelled through at least March 27.
- The Brookline Public Library is closed through at least April 6.
- All restaurants and eateries in Brookline are prohibited from serving dine-in customers until further notice. Restaurants have the option to provide takeout or delivery service.
- The town has asked those conducting construction projects to voluntarily suspend those projects.