Worcester City Offices Open To Public For First Since March

WORCESTER, MA — The last time the public could enter Worcester City Hall, only three coronavirus cases had been confirmed in the city.

Nearly 6,000 confirmed cases later, Worcester City Hall is reopening to the public.

On Monday, a slate of municipal buildings will open to the public by appointment only, city officials said Thursday. Apart from City Hall, residents will be able to access the Main South Municipal Service Center, police headquarters, inspection services and the Department of Public Works service center along East Worcester Street.

Starting Monday, City Hall will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments can be made online, but the city's scheduling system was not operational as of Thursday afternoon. Residents will have to enter through the rear door and exit along Main Street — and masks will be required.

Coronavirus cases in Worcester slowed down this summer, and the city has so far kept case rates relatively low compared to other larger cities across the state. Cities like Framingham, Lawrence and New Bedford have all seen cases spike, and have made the state's list of high-risk communities.

But Worcester was right at the threshold for becoming a high-risk community, according to state data.

The city had about 7.48 cases per 100,000 residents per day over the last week, the state Department of Public Health reported Wednesday. Health officials consider any community with above 8 case per 100,000 high-risk. Worcester's positive test rate, however, was 0.77 percent on Wednesday, while the statewide average was 0.80 percent.

Worcester shut down City Hall and other municipal offices on March 17, the same day restaurants and other businesses across the state closed as the pandemic hit Massachusetts.