Autumn & Winter Festival and Event Guidance

Halloween activities and other autumn/winter festivals and events held outdoors, are and will be allowed in the Town of Brookline.* 

 The State of Massachusetts and the Town of Brookline have lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions on outdoor events. However, Brookline remains vigilant and continues to require masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status. 

 The Brookline Department of Public Health (BDPH) recommends the following to help curb the spread of COVID-19 during indoor and outdoor events within our community:

• Event staff and attendees should stay home if they feel unwell, have COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, have been issued an Order to Quarantine, or have tested positive for COVID-19
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being in a large gathering and in close contact for a prolonged period of time poses the highest risk of COVID-19 spread if you are unvaccinated; thus, the BDPH is recommending face coverings for all unvaccinated attendees.
• Event organizers must ensure sanitizers are available and conspicuously stationed. 
• All COVID-19 recommendations must be posted at entry points and in publicity and emails for the events.
• A temporary food permit may be required from the BDPH for all food to be served and sold. 
• All food handlers must wear face coverings and gloves.

 *Please be advised that If COVID-19 cases escalate significantly at the level of Public Health concern, all indoor and outdoor events may be subject to cancelation or restriction by the Brookline Department of Public Health. 

Public Health Guidance for Autumn & Winter Events and Festivals

Requesting a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card

Please visit this website to find out how to request a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card.

COVID-19 Indoor Mask Signage

RESIDENTIAL

The following are signs for use in residential properties.

Face Coverings in Common Areas (PDF)

Face Coverings in Elevators (PDF)

Businesses

The following is a sign for use in local businesses.

Face Coverings in Businesses (PDF)

COVID-19 TESTING SITE LOCATOR

Click here to find the nearest test location.

MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE TIME OF COVID-19

List of resources (pdf)

COVID-19 VACCINE

Myths & Facts about COVID-19 Vaccine

Vax Finder

BROOKLINE ACT VACCINE PROJECT (video links)

I got my COVID vaccine

How I felt after getting my COVID vaccine

If I take the VAX, do I still need a mask or can I go straight to a party?

If I'm not going to get sick, why should I take the COVID vaccine?

Will I get a sticker if I take the COVID vaccine because I am a person of color?

Will the COVID-19 vaccine make me sick?

COVID-19 vaccine

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

The Acting Commissioner of Public Health, Patrick Maloney, would like Brookline residents to have a healthy and safe Halloween. As we transition to a new normal, he offers these safety tips from BDPH, Public Health Communications Collaborative and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please take a moment to review these tips to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.

Halloween Safety Tips (PDF)

Kids Activities for a Healthy Halloween  (PDF)

Autumn & Winter Festival and Event Guidance

Halloween activities and other autumn/winter festivals and events held outdoors, are and will be allowed in the Town of Brookline.* 

 The State of Massachusetts and the Town of Brookline have lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions on outdoor events. However, Brookline remains vigilant and continues to require masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status. 

 The Brookline Department of Public Health (BDPH) recommends the following to help curb the spread of COVID-19 during indoor and outdoor events within our community:

• Event staff and attendees should stay home if they feel unwell, have COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, have been issued an Order to Quarantine, or have tested positive for COVID-19
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being in a large gathering and in close contact for a prolonged period of time poses the highest risk of COVID-19 spread if you are unvaccinated; thus, the BDPH is recommending face coverings for all unvaccinated attendees.
• Event organizers must ensure sanitizers are available and conspicuously stationed. 
• All COVID-19 recommendations must be posted at entry points and in publicity and emails for the events.
• A temporary food permit may be required from the BDPH for all food to be served and sold. 
• All food handlers must wear face coverings and gloves.

 *Please be advised that If COVID-19 cases escalate significantly at the level of Public Health concern, all indoor and outdoor events may be subject to cancelation or restriction by the Brookline Department of Public Health. 

Public Health Guidance for Autumn & Winter Events and Festivals

FLU SEASON: Get the shot, not the flu!

Brookline Department of Public Health Annual Flu Clinic | October 24, 2021 | 9 am - 3 pm

Who should get a flu vaccine this season?

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. A full listing of people at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications is available.

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people.

• There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as 6 months old and flu shots approved for use in adults 65 years and older.
• Flu shots also are recommended for pregnant people and people with certain chronic health conditions.
• The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant people who are 2 years through 49 years of age. People who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.

There are many vaccine options to choose from.  CDC does not recommend any one flu vaccine over another. The most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year.

If you have questions about which flu vaccine to get, talk to your doctor or other health care professional. More information is available at Who Should Get Vaccinated.

SAFE FOOD PREPARATION

Take Steps to Prevent Food Poisoning

As you prepare and handle food, follow these four steps to help prevent foodborne illness (also called food poisoning):

• Clean: Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces often when you cook.
• Separate: Raw meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs can spread germs. Separate them from cooked food and fresh produce.
• Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to an internal temperature that kills germs.
• Chill: Refrigerate perishable foodsexternal icon (foods likely to spoil or go bad quickly) and leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F (like a hot car or summer picnic).

Anyone can get sick from food poisoning. But some groups of people are more likely to get sick and to have a more serious illness:

• Adults aged 65 and older
• Children younger than 5
• People with weakened immune systems (for example, people with diabetes, liver or kidney disease, alcoholism, or HIV, or people who receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
• Pregnant people

Source: cdc.gov

More About Marijuana” Campaign Highlights Risks of Consuming Illicit Vaping Products

HEALTH ALERT: MARIJUANA, VAPING & COVID-19

With Phase 1 of Massachusetts’ reopening of businesses and services, recreational marijuana stores are being allowed to open. This could mean greater access for teens, who may not realize that even occasional marijuana smoking and vaping can compromise lungs and increase susceptibility and complications from COVID. Vaping has been especially problematic during the closure, which has caused an upswing in black market cartridges, which can be especially dangerous due to unregulated chemicals. At least one Brookline teen has gone to the hospital with a very severe reaction from vaping.

CNN has done a recent informative piece - https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/health/smoking-weed-coronavirus-wellness/index.html

PLEASE VISIT BROOKLINECOVID19.COM