[Now that things are progressing to a “new normal” and more non-COVID-19 news, events and “need to know” information becomes available, we will continue this feature five days a week.]
In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Tuesday, June 9 – St. Vincent Hospital has released COVID-19 safety standards for visitors, more restaurants have applied for an outdoor dining permit, Assumption College will now offer a cybersecurity program, a Central Mass. organization wins an award for promoting safe driving, and the New England Revolution are returning in the field.
22 More Restaurants Apply for Outdoor Dining Permit
The City of Worcester License Commission will meet in its second special session on Wednesday, June 10. The Commission will hear from 22 businesses applying to expand operations for outdoor and sidewalk dining.
Today – Tuesday, June 9 – the License Commission will hear from 18 businesses applying to the Outdoor Dining Program.
As ThisWeekInWorcester.com previously reported, an Executive Order issued by City Manager Ed Augustus waived fees for both the outdoor dining and sidewalk obstruction permits.
The applicants scheduled to be heard on Wednesday for outdoor dining permits include:
- Greater Good, 55 Millbrook Street
- Via Italian Table, 89 Shrewsbury Street
- Cedar Box Grill, 15 Hamilton Street
- The Woo Bar & Grill, 358 Shrewsbury Street
- Quinn’s Irish Pub, 711 West Boylston Street
- Flying Rhino, 278 Shrewsbury Street
- Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury Street
- Rosalina’s Kitchen, 83 Hamilton Street
- Redemption Rock Brewery, 333 Shrewsbury Street
- Valentino’s, 154 Shrewsbury Street
- Miss Worcester Diner, 300 Southbridge Street
- Nuovo, 92 Shrewsbury Street
- 3 G’s Sports Bar, 152 Millbury Street
- Park Grill, 255 Park Avenue
- Altea’s Eatery, 259 Park Avenue
- Leo’s Ristorante, 11 Leo Turo Way
- Cicero’s, 17 Suffolk Street
- Suney’s Pub, 216 Chandler Street
- Maddi’s Cookery & Tap House, 64 Water Street
- Wicked Wing Co, 321 West Boylston Street
- Breen’s Café, 18 Cambridge Street
- Dell’Ovo’s Kitchen, 257 Shrewsbury Street
Assumption College to Offer Cybersecurity Degree
The course offerings from Assumption College’s Continuing & Career Education program will expand this fall to include a Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. The courses will be offered online.
The curriculum for the program will be aligned with the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security’s Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense program.
Assumption is offering an informational webinar on Thursday, June 11 at 7 PM for those interested in learning more about the program.
St. Vincent Hospital Releases its COVID Safety Standards
As the gradual stages of reopening continue across Massachusetts and more people are entering the hospital on a consistent basis, St. Vincent Hospital has outlined its protocols to control for infection. All visitors to the hospital should expect to be screened for fever, respiratory symptoms or travel to high risk locations.
The main components of the program with be:
- Rigorous physician and staff protocols – daily screening, universal masking and access to PPE
- Heightened sanitization – enhanced cleaning of surfaces and plenty of hand sanitization stations
- Access to COVID-19 testing – testing for patients, physicians and staff who require it
- Precautions for patients and visitors – provision of facemasks, hand sanitizer and physical distancing
- Enhanced virtual access – virtual care, remote monitoring as well as connectivity with loved ones
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Awards
A program within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation [MassDOT], the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School [SRTS] Program, issued its annual awards in a virtual ceremony on Monday, June 7.
The program is to recognized partner schools and community partners for their efforts in administering programs providing students with safe walking and biking routes to school.
For community collaboration, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission was issued an honorable mention. It was one of only two programs in the state acknowledge for its community collaboration efforts.
Signs of Sports Returning to Play
There has been recent talk of the return of professional sports in the near future with another encouraging sign yesterday.
The New England Revolution had their first full team practice on Monday, June 7, since they played their last game on March 12.
While teams are allowed to have players at their facilities and resume practice, the plan to restart the season has not yet been announced.
