Beverly City Buildings Reopen To Public: Mayor

BEVERLY, MA — Six months after access to municipal was restricted due to emerging coronavirus crisis, Beverly City Hall and other municipal buildings reopened to the public Monday morning.

Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill announced Sunday night that "low and holding steady" rates of positive tests and hospitalizations from the virus are allowing for the easing of restrictions.

"We look forward to seeing your smiling eyes above your mask when you do visit City Hall or one of our other public buildings," Cahill said. "Just knowing you're doing well and picturing the smile beneath your mask to match those smiling eyes is a blessing. Thank you, All, for everything each of you have been doing and continue to do to keep our community safe."

Cahill said the openings were due to residents' adhering to coronavirus mask and social distancing guidelines, as well as staying home if they feel sick.

Transactions will be processed at the first floor departments of Beverly City Hall with capacity limits — so visitors may be asked to wait outside when at capacity. Residents are asked to conduct business online, by mail or by phone that can be done that way.

Appointments are necessary for offices without walk-up windows — including engineering, planning and inspection services. Meeting spaces have been designated for these departments.

The library is adding indoor computer time by appointment, outdoor tabletop browsing and pickup of books ordered online.

Cahill said he hopes to share information about more Senior Center programming later this week.