City of Brockton setting COVID-19 curfew for residents, visitors

A Massachusetts city is once again implementing a curfew due to COVID-19.

The City of Brockton has announced that due to Brockton’s designation as a “higher risk” community, effective Saturday August 22, Mayor Robert F. Sullivan has ordered a Citywide curfew for all residents and visitors between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. with exceptions for essential travel.

The Mayor is also closing the Harold D. Bent Playground at Ash Street Park and the James Edgar Playground from the hours of 4 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Sullivan has, in addition, created a City COVID-19 Enforcement team of public health and public safety officials to combat the spread of COVID-19 and alert individuals as to the urgency of health and safety precautions and has issued protocols for fines for violations of city and state orders.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s weekly report shows that Brockton has had 8.5 coronavirus cases per day per 100,000 residents in the past two weeks which has led to their high risk designation.

Brockton has made COVID-19 headlines after a volleyball competition became a 350 person party at a playground on Ash Street.

A violation of the Executive Order, which also includes any violation of Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Order No. 46, shall be punishable by a fine of $200 for the first offense; $350 for the second offense; and $500 for the third and any subsequent offenses. Continued non-compliance may result in the City seeking a criminal complaint or other court remedy. Non-compliance with the order shall also be a basis for suspension and/or revocation of any and all City of Brockton licences and permits.

The City also implemented a curfew in the middle of April during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.