I'm reaching out to provide you with relevant COVID-19 updates from today.
Governor Baker announced the creation of a $10 million small business recovery loan fund for businesses of a certain size, including nonprofits. This fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000. Loans will be available to eligible businesses immediately, and no payments will be due for the first six months. To learn more about qualifications and complete the application, head to: https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/.
The MBTA will have service schedule changes starting tomorrow, 3/17. There will be a Saturday schedule on all subway and bus lines, changes to commuter rail schedules, and no ferry service available. There are no planned service changes to The RIDE services. You can learn more about the service changes and look at updated T schedules here: https://www.mbta.com/covid19
Starting Wednesday 3/18, Somerville Hospital on Highland Ave. will be offering drive-through COVID-19 testing from 9AM-3PM seven days per week for CHA patients by appointment. This will be available for those showing a fever, new cough, and or shortness of breath.
If your hours have been cut due to COVID-19, you qualify for Unemployment Insurance.Yesterday, Governor Baker announced emergency regulations that will allow those impacted by COVID-19 to collect unemployment insurance. Emergency legislation is being filed that will waive the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. You can learn more and apply here: https://www.mass.gov/unemployment-insurance-ui-online
Due to office closures, families applying for Emergency Assistance shelter through the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community development can only apply by calling this phone number: 1-866-584-0653. Please share this number with those you know, and learn more here: http://mahomeless.org/advocacy/item/coronavirus
Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis DePasquale have put out a statement on emergency measures taken by the City of Cambridge to address COVID-19. Read their statement here: http://bit.ly/2wZY9Wg
All Stop & Shops will be offering Senior Citizen shopping hours from 6-7:30AM starting Thursday, 3/19. During this time, only customers age 60 and over will be served. You can learn more here: http://bit.ly/33rXARg.
I will continue to be in touch with information as I receive it. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at marjorie.decker@mahouse.gov with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Marjorie