Milford May Declare State Of Emergency Over Coronavirus

MILFORD, MA — The Milford Board of Selectmen is expected to approve a state of emergency declaration on Monday in response to the new coronavirus outbreak.

Many towns and cities have already declared emergencies, largely to gain access to state and federal funds that are available for the coronavirus crisis. Milford's declaration references the need to make "emergency expenditures" to respond to the crisis.

Emergency declarations may also give town officials the power to put additional restrictions in place to maintain public safety. Gov. Charlie Baker has used an emergency declaration he made on March 10 to do things like end dining at restaurants and close schools. Individual municipalities are thought to have similar authority under emergency declarations.

Milford so far has not recorded any positive COVID-19 cases. There were 646 cases statewide as of Sunday afternoon, including 37 across Worcester County. Thirteen of those cases are in Worcester, but Rutland, Charlton, and Clinton have confirmed cases too.