Salem Report Line For Coronavirus Gathering Limit Violations

SALEM, MA — Salem officials have set up a couple of ways that residents can report suspected violations of the state's new private gathering limits as part of Gov. Charlie Baker's
"Stay At Home Advisory" as coronavirus rate rise in the city.

The advisory closes most businesses — including restaurants, gyms, theaters and other entertainment venues — at 9:30 p.m. and urges residents to remain home with only members of their household from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every night.

According to the new directive, indoor gatherings are capped at 10 people and outdoor gatherings are capped at 25 people, even at private residences.

To report a violation in Salem, residents can call Salem police at 978-744-1212 at the time of the incident and email health@salem.com with the location, date and time of the gathering.

While the state changed its metrics for what is considered a "high-risk" city for community spread this past week, Salem's coronavirus numbers rose sharply to 14.1 cases per 100,000 people. Up until Friday, rates of 8.0 cases per 100,000 people was considered "high risk." Last week, Salem was at 7.1 cases per 100,000 people.

The city's positive test rate was slightly above the state average (1.84 percent) as of Friday at 2.07 percent, while its case rate was below the state average of 15.8 per 100,000 cases.

There were 108 total positive tests in the city over the previous two weeks.

The city will hold a public online town hall-style forum on Thursday at 6 p.m. where members of the community can submit questions for panelists who include: Mayor Kim Driscoll, North Shore Medical Center president and CEO Dr. David Roberts, Health Agent David Greenbaum, Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Daniel and Kylie Sullivan of Salem Main Streets.

The town hall will be streamed live here and on the city's Facebook page here.

Questions can be submitted live during the town hall on the city's website and can be emailed to mayor@salem.com.

The city has also launched the "Knowvember" campaign asking residents to each pledge to get tested for coronavirus at least twice a month through December to help the city track cases and to create awareness of potential asymptomatic spread and the potential need to quarantine.

More Patch Coverage: Salem Asks All Residents To Get 2 Coronavirus Tests In November

These Businesses, Services Must Close At 9:30 Beginning Friday

MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Statewide Test Rate Hits 2%