A letter from Worcester Cultural Coalition Executive Director Erin Williams:
Hello Cultural Community,
Worcester City leadership held a press conference on March 12 to outline its response to the COVID-19 virus. The priority is to ensure safety for all residents. All City-sponsored events hosting 50 people or more are cancelled, the Senior Center is closed temporarily, and Worcester Public Schools are closed Friday for deep cleaning. As of now, they reopen Monday, March 16.
We thank the public venues who are following protocols regarding public hygiene in response to the COVID-19 virus, and for sharing this information with the public. This furthers our goals of prevention and public safety.
Regarding events anticipating over 50 attendees, City Manager Ed Augustus requests that institutions, venues, and organizations urge the elderly and immune-compromised not to attend as a matter of public health and safety. In addition, we are sensitive to the community’s needs at this time, and ask that each institution be flexible and accommodating around reimbursement practices and policies.
The Worcester Cultural Coalition is actively involved in local and statewide discussions around the impact to the cultural community, possible mitigation responses and measures, and processes to support the cultural community – from the large organizations to the individual artists. The WCC will continue to be proactive in advocating for health and safety while supporting the financial and operational sustainability of our creative community.
For more information on the COVID-19 virus and proper protocols, visit the City of Worcester website. You are also welcome to review the Executive Order from City Manager Augustus, and watch the March 12 COVID-19 Media Briefing.
My best,
Erin I. Williams