Town of Hopkinton Comes Out With New COVID-19 Update

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Melanie Cole

The Town Hall sits the same way it always has in the cold months of Winter. Despite COVID-19, it has still found a way to function and complete important tasks for the town.

On January 21st, the Town of Hopkinton came out with a COVID-19 update regarding a multitude of things, including the status of the Town Hall, overall case numbers, testing, the vaccine, etc. 

They started out with the Town Hall.

About 5 months ago, the Hopkinton Town Hall reopened to the public, and there has been a myriad of rules and regulations put into place in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Appointments are required due to the state’s COVID-19 limits on building occupancy . . . All town departments are open for business and many transactions can be completed online,” They stated.

It was also mentioned that the Town Hall is available by phone or email during their normal business hours, and there is also a box at the front door to drop off important documents.

Town Hall
The Town Hall sits the same way it always has in the cold months of Winter. Despite COVID-19, it has still found a way to function and complete important tasks for the town. (Melanie Cole)

Right across from the town hall, the Public Library, has had to remain closed due to COVID-19.

“Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in Hopkinton and regionally, the library building will continue to be physically closed to the public until at least Friday, January 29”, The update stated.

They will continue to reevaluate the reopening date based on the status of the Commonwealth/Metrowest area and help from the Hopkinton Board of Health.

A frequent visitor of the Public Library, Annie Sihlan, said, “I am really sad about not being able to go to the Library and do my homework like I always did last year. I would always go to Muffin House before and get coffee and a bagel before I started my study session.”

The newly renovated Public Library sitting in the center of town, deserted. (Melanie Cole)

The overall status of COVID-19 in Hopkinton is included in the new update as well: “As of 1/19/21, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 574 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 44 of those cases are active, with 513 recoveries and 17 deaths.”

“It’s really sad, I personally have had someone close to me get COVID, but thankfully, they recovered”, Mary Kinsman, a fellow Hopkinton resident, said.

The Update also included many links regarding information about testing sites, the vaccine, upcoming community projects, etcetera. 

The Gazebo on Hopkinton Common also sits still in the midst of winter. (Melanie Cole)

Amidst COVID-19, the people of Hopkinton are doing everything they can to remain positive and strive for a sense of normalcy, which is partially done by updating their citizens with the status of the town and all its aspects.