HADLEY — Town officials will not be requiring Hadley businesses to close or change their practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, except as mandated by state government.
“At this time, the Hadley Unified Command, in consultation with the Governor’s Office and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, has determined that the Town of Hadley does not require (and does not intend to require) that businesses in Hadley must close – other than those businesses mandated by the Governor’s Office,” reads the release issued by Town Administrator David Nixon.
Nixon is part of the Hadley Unified Command, made up of the emergency management director, school superintendent and members of the Board of Health and Select Board.
Officials, though, are strongly recommending that businesses follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health and local Board of Health guidelines for preserving public health, including social distancing, frequent hand washing and surface disinfecting and cleaning, staying at home if anyone is sick or coughing, and sneezing or coughing into a tissue or crook of the arm.
Employers are encouraged to review sick leave policies to make sure sick employees are supported in choosing to stay at home.
The Unified Command updates Hadley residents and business owners daily at www.hadleyma.org.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
