Framingham Enacts New Order On What Closes Due To Coronavirus

FRAMINGHAM, MA — On the day that Framingham's new coronavirus case count hit 19 — five more than reported on Monday — the Board of Health passed a new order to close some operations in the city to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The order, passed unanimously by the board on Tuesday afternoon, prohibits self-service food operations, certain lottery sales, and some personal care services. The order, for example, prohibits buffets and salad bars, and would prohibit people from gathering to play Keno or scratch tickets. The order does not prohibit lottery ticket sales in the city.

Framingham Health Director Dr. Samuel Wong said the new order came after questions and complaints from city residents. The order also gets a little more specific than the stay-at-home advisory issued by Gov. Charlie Baker — that went into effect at noon on Tuesday.

"We don't want people to congregate," Wong said.

In public appearances, Wong often emphasizes the need to observe social-distancing standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Framingham marked its first COVID-19 case on March 11, and the cases have been coming fast, with cases now coming in every few hours, Wong said. Fortunately, only one of the 19 Framingham COVID-19 cases has resulted in a hospitalization, Wong said on Tuesday.

So far 11 people in Massachusetts have died from COVID-19, including residents in Middlesex County. The state total grew to 1,159 on Tuesday, up close to 400 cases from Monday. Of those, 304 cases are in Middlesex County.