Worcester Municipal Buildings To Close Through Early January

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester will close all municipal buildings to the public through Jan. 11, a precaution to prevent further spread of coronavirus, according to city officials.

City Hall, the senior center, all library facilities, Department of Public Works and Parks offices, Public Health and Fire Prevention buildings will close beginning on Christmas Eve.

"We all have a role to play and City Government must lead by example in mitigating the risk of exposure and further community spread of the COVID-19 virus," City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. — who is recovering from a bout with coronavirus — said in a statement. "We expect to return to an appointment-based system in early to mid-January, after the holiday, but will assess the situation and make responsible decisions based on Public Health data."

The coronavirus public health data in Worcester has been bad recently. The city has added almost 2,700 cases since Dec. 3 in a post-Thanksgiving spike.

Services like permitting and bill payments will still be available on the city's website or via phone. Library branches will still offer curbside pickup, according to officials. Marriage licenses will be available during the closure by appointment-only.