COVID-19 Updates and Information

COVID-19 Virus Opens in new windowUpdated February 24, 2021 The Westford Health Department is monitoring this situation very carefully and will update this page as new information becomes available.  State Public Health Officials Announce New COVID-19 Variant Cases, Urge Continued Protective Measures here.

Total cases in Westford: 1087
Active cases:28
Total recovered: 1032

Call 211 for help booking appointments!!!!, Receive Text/Email Updates, and More:

About COVID-19, It's Source and Spread:

COVID-19 is a new respiratory (lung) disease, caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

  • Between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet) or direct contact with a person with COVID-19
  • When someone with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes they produce respiratory droplets. The virus can be transmitted through exposure to the droplets when a a person is in contact with someone who is infected

There is widespread community level transmission in Massachusetts and travel history is no longer a significant risk factor. For more information on travel, please visit the CDC's website, COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.

Symptoms:

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include:

  • Fever, chills or shaking chills
  • Signs of a lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath, lowered oxygen saturation)
  • Fatigue, sore throat, headache, body aches/myalgia, or new loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), rash, and inflammatory conditions
  • Elderly, chronically ill, or debilitated individuals, symptoms of COVID-19 may be subtle such as alterations in metal status or in blood glucose control

If you develop symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider and a test site near you to schedule a test. You can also check your symptoms online here.

Testing:

For a list of facilities that perform COVID-19 testing, please visit: COVID-19 Test Site Locator Map. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

Regulations and Preventative Guidance:

Effective November 6th, Governor Baker issued a revised  Face Covering Order, Early Closing and Alcohol Order, & a Further Revised Gatherings Order

The CDC recommends you wear a face covering when out in public

  1. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  2. Everyone should wear a face covering when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  3. The face covering is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  4. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  5. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Business Guidance and Grants:

Resident Services

Service  
Pet Food Initiative Need animal food/supplies? Have food/supplies to donate? Animal Control is currently accepting donations. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call (978) 692-4574 or email animalcontrol@westfordma.gov. A donation drop-off bin is currently outside the Westford Police Station door, in addition the Cameron Senior Center is accepting donations M-Th 8AM-1PM.
Help with Food Shopping & Medication
 Contact the Cameron Senior Center at 978-692-5523
Grocery Stores
Reusable bags temporarily prohibited. Hours for seniors required. Sanitizing options for customers now required. To view the complete order click HERE.
4/7/19: UPDATED REQUIREMENTS can be seen Here
Public Schools See the WPS website for latest information.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Our next Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for May 8, 2021.

Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at this time non-members cannot utilize services at the Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Regional Facility in Lexington, MA to dispose hazardous household waste until further notice. For questions you may contact them at (781) 274-8334.
Solid Waste Collection Please ensure all personal hygiene products, used tissues, paper towel, sanitary wipes, face masks, gloves, and similar items are disposed of in plastic garbage bags. Garbage bags should be tied securely for disposal. If you are sick or caring for someone who is sick: all personal waste should be double bagged in plastic garbage bags. Securely tie all bags shut and dispose of as regular residential garbage.
To report fraud
 Contact the Office of Inspector General at 866-750-5721

Latest Town Department Information

Department/Service Latest Status
Assessors The Assessor's Office is temporarily closed to the public. We are available by phone and email during regular business hours.
Building Department The Building Department Office is temporarily closed to the public. We are accepting applications and are available to answer any questions or concerns.
Cemetery The Cemetery office is currently closed to the public. All business is conducted via appointment, Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm. Appointments are available by calling 978-692-5526. Please leave a message and a staff member will return your call.
Conservation The Conservation Office is temporarily closed to the public. The staff will be operating on a rotating schedule to occupy the office in Town Hall. Contact information is available here or call 978-692-5524 and leave a message. Messages are checked regularly.
Engineering & GIS Departments The offices and lobby are temporarily closed to the public, but will remain fully staffed and accessible via phone @ 978-692-5520. The Town Engineer can be reached via email at pstarratt@westfordma.gov. The GIS Coordinator can be reached via email ccoutu@westfordma.gov.
Facilities Department The facilities department is temporarily closed to the public. Ongoing and operational maintenance will still continue. Please contact 978-399-2435 with any questions.
Finance Department The Finance Department is temporarily closed to the public. We are available by phone and email during regular business hours.
Fire Department Public access is limited to the vestibule of the new HQ Station (except for walk-in medicals). No station tours.
Starting on 6/22 residential inspections will resume with the following requirements:
 - Mon, Weds, Fri only from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 - Only 1 person can be in home at time of inspection
 - Mouth and nose covering required
For more information relative to regulatory requirements, please visit www.westfordfire.com or contact Lt. Donald Parsons at (978) 399-20802
Health Department
 The Health Department Office is temporarily closed to the public. All permits and applications can be submitted online and staff is available for technical support on plans and Health Department Operations. All inspections and field operations are at full capacity. For the office, call 978-692-5509 or go to https://www.westfordma.gov/215/Health-Department
Highway Department The office and lobby are temporarily closed to the public, but will remain fully staffed. The Department is accessible via phone @ 978-692-5520 or whighway@westfordma.gov.
Library Visit www.westfordlibrary.org for the following services. RETURNS: Patrons wearing masks may return library materials in the rear drive-through Book Drop. For CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon - Sat see SERVICES. For BOOK THE BROWSE TENT see SERVICES. For VIRTUAL offerings for all ages see KIDS and EVENTS. For safe downloadable formats see ECOLLECTIONS. To CALL, CHAT or ask for Reference Assistance call 978-399-2304. IN-HOUSE BROWSING is temporarily suspended. 
Planning / Zoning The Planning/Zoning Office is temporarily closed to the public. The staff will be operating on a rotating schedule to allow for social distancing. Additional information is available here or please call 978-692-5524 and leave a message. Messages are checked regularly.
Police Department Until further notice, we are asking citizens to avoid coming into the lobby of the police department unless in case of an emergency. We will be temporarily allowing our Officers to take reports over the phone for any issue or incident that we feel would not require a visit to your home. If possible it is requested that you call Public Safety Communications @ 978-399-2345 to request an Officer or if you have questions. In case of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
Recreation Department The Recreation Department is temporarily closed to the public. To contact us, please call 978-692-5532 or email mcollett@westfordma.gov. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the WPC After School Program will be closed as of November 13. At this time, it remains unclear when the program will resume. Please visit our website at westfordrec.com for status updates, or call our office at 978-692-5532.
Recreation / Athletic Fields Open to limited group use via permit from the Parks & Recreation Department.  Please call 978-692-5532 or email Joy Felicani @ jfelicani@westfordma.gov for permit information. For recreation program information, please visit westfordrec.com
Recreation / Playgrounds Open.
Senior Center The center is temporarily closed to the public, but staff are working in the building and providing support services including van transportation Monday thru Friday from 8-4PM. To reach the Cameron call 978-692-5523 or go to www.westfordma.gov/coa. Westford Food Pantry distribution hours: Wednesdays: 6-8PM and Fridays: 9-11AM and donations are accepted at these times. 
Tax Collector The Tax Collector Office is temporarily closed to the public, but our staff are still working and accessible via phone @ 978-692-5506 (please leave a message if we do not answer), and email ccollins@westfordma.gov. Payments can be mailed to Tax Collector’s Office 55 Main Street, Westford, MA 01886, or dropped off in the drop box located at the back of town hall. Online payments can be made via epay@cityhallsystems.com. If you wish to receive a stamped receipt, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope and we will mail it back to you. For more information , visit the town’s website www.westfordma.gov and find Tax Collector under Departments.
Town Accountant The Town Accountant’s office is temporarily closed to the public. We are available by phone and email during regular business hours.
Town Clerk Office The Town Clerk's Office is temporarily closed to the public, but the Town Clerk staff are still working and assessible via phone at 978-692-5515 or by email at townclerk@westfordma.gov. Dog licensing and vital records (birth, death, marriage) are available online. Online payments may be made by credit card. Bulk item sticker locations are listed on this page . Call ahead to make arrangements to obtain marriage licenses, business certificates and raffle permits.
Town Manager's Office The Town Manager's Office is temporarily closed to the public. You may contact us at (978) 692-5501 ext. 1 or by email at tmaa@westfordma.gov. Permit and license applications are available online on the Select Board’s homepage and may be submitted for approval at the email address listed above or mailed to our office.
Veterans Services The Veterans Department is temporarily closed to the public. For assistance please email veterans@westfordma.gov or, call 978-392-1170 and leave a message. More information can be located at https://www.va.gov/ or https://www.westfordma.gov/400/Benefit-Information
Water Department The office is temporarily closed to the public, but will remain fully staffed.  Customers may drop off payments using the mail slot inside the front lobby, but are encouraged to make payments online or through the mail. To contact the Water Department please use one of the following: 
General Questions: 978-692-5529 or water@westfordma.gov; 
Billing: 978-399-2451 or dtyman@westfordma.gov; 
Account Payable at 978-399-2452 or skane@westfordma.gov; 
Water Quality: 978-399-2457 or mwarren@westfordma.gov; 
Operations: 978-399-2456 or dcrocker@westfordma.gov.