Salem Coronavirus Surge Leaves City Offices Short-Staffed

SALEM, MA — Salem residents are asked to minimize in-person visits to municipal offices and conduct as much business online as possible while in-person staff is reduced amid a coronavirus surge.

The city said on Tuesday that positive cases and quarantines are preventing city employees from working in person — leaving some departments short-staffed.

Those who do not need to do business in person are "strongly encouraged" to do so online here. Most city service requests can be made here.

"The city continues to monitor case data and may make other adjustments or modifications to operations as circumstances warrant," officials said. "Please know that while response times may be impacted during this temporary staffing challenge, departments will continue to endeavor to respond to all inquiries in as timely a manner as possible.

"Thank you in advance for your patience."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)