March 20, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham Executive Health Director Susan Sarni issued a cease of operation order for personal care services -- including hair and nail salons, massage establishments, spas, and fitness centers -- this afternoon due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The board of health voted March 19 for Sarni to act as its agent under Massachusetts General Laws related to the order.
A number of Hingham personal care service businesses have already closed temporarily for that reason.
The order applies to all Hingham businesses operating as such, requiring them to "cease all personal care services offered to the public (unless medically necessary)," effective tomorrow, March 21, and continuing until further notice. The Hingham Board of Health will review the state of this order again after April 5.
This is because the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.
The action, authorized under Massachusetts General Law and supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, follows Gov. Charlie Baker's March 10 declaration of a state of emergency and President Trump's declaration of a national emergency on March 13.
The closings are required because the COVID-19 public health emergency "poses a present, reasonable, and imminent danger to the public health, safety, or general welfare of the residents of the Town of Hingham."
This action has been taken "in order to protect the public health of all residents in Hingham, due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, its serious health effects, and the close personal contact involved in these personal services." Sarni said in the order.
For further information or for any questions, call the Hingham Health Department (781) 741.1466 for any questions or email HealthDepartment@hingham-ma.gov.