Framingham Mayor & School Superintendent Announce 2-Week Suspension of All Group Activities Starting Friday

FRAMINGHAM – In response to “alarming” COVID case numbers, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, Framingham Public Schools Superintendent Bob Tremblay, and Framingham Department of Public Health Director Alex DePalo are announcing proactive steps to reduce community spread.

Since Wednesday, December 29, 1,387 residents have tested positive, representing the largest 7-day increase of any recent surge.

As of today, January 5, the number of residents in the City who have tested positive for COVID-19 is 12,418. Framingham currently has 1724 active cases, with 656 recovered and 259 fatalities.

As of Friday, January 7, 2022, at 2 p.m., a two-week pause will be placed on all group activities taking place in municipal buildings, including public schools.

This will not impact live voting on Tuesday, January 11, for the special election for District 3 City Council at Brophy Elementary School.

Specifically, through midnight on January 21, 2022:

• FPS athletics, arts, and clubs are suspended. There will be no late buses for this two-week period at middle and high school. Explorers will remain open at the pre-k and elementary schools.

This means that the high school musical In the Heights performances are postponed until February 3-5.

Additional details regarding school activities can be found here.

• Indoor group activities offered through the Framingham Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, including Callahan Senior Center and Loring Arena, will be suspended.

• Libraries will be moving to all in-person programming to Zoom or live streaming for the two weeks, said Library Director Lena Kilburn. Patrons can still visit the library for services, only programming is impacted.

As of today, January 5, the number of residents in the City who have tested positive for COVID-
19 is 12,418. Framingham currently has 1724 active cases, with 656 recovered and 259 fatalities. These numbers only include confirmed cases reported through the Massachusetts data system; results from home test kits areunknown but may represent significant positive, unreported results.

The City will closely monitor closely COVID testing data throughout the next two weeks to determine if the two-week suspension is the appropriate duration.

In addition, Mayor Sisitsky will meet with the Framingham Board of Health on Tuesday to gather members’ input regarding a potential city-wide indoor mask mandate.

“In light of today’s data, I want to get the perspective from the board, among others,” said Mayor Sisitsky. “I am looking at similar actions in other cities and towns, and am considering doing the same for Framingham.”