>> THE GOVERNOR DECLARING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY BECAUSE THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STARTING TO SEE EVIDENCE OF COMMUNITY SPREAD.

HE SAYS IT WILL GET THE STATE MORE FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO THIS OUTBREAK.

GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER DECLARING MASSACHUSETTS NOW UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY BECAUSE OF A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS CORONAVIRUS.

CASES IN MASSACHUSETTS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED TO 92.

>> TODAY HAVE DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THE DECLARATION WILL GIVE OUR ADMINISTRATION MORE FLEXIBILITY.

SHARMAN: THE GOVERNOR PUTTING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ADDING ANY CONFERENCES ARE NOW CANCELED OR HELD REMOTELY URGING SCHOOLS TO

CANCEL OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL AND THOSE MOST AT RISK, OLDER PEOPLE, TO AVOID LARGE CROWDS.

>> THOSE PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARE THOSE THAT NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM SHARMAN: SHARMAN: THOSE PLACES.

MOST OF THE COVID-19 CASES ARE CONNECTED TO THE BIOGEN MEETING.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO HAPPEN.

>>.

MASSACHUSETTS PERSON-TO-PERSON SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IN THE COMMUNITIES BEGINNING TO OCCUR AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT IDENTIFIABLE RISK FACTORS YOU NURSING HOME SCREENING ALL

VISITORS BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS.

THE STEPS ARE MEANT TO SPREAD -- MEANT TO STEM THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THESE MEASURES NOW IS TO ACT BEFORE NUMBERS INCREASE TO SEVERELY IMPACT THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE STATE HAS RECEIVED SOME 2000 TEST KITS FROM THE CDC WHICH WILL ALLOW THEM TO TEST EVEN MORE PEOPLE AND LAWMAKERS ALSO TODAY APPROVING ANOTHER $15 MILLION TO GO TOWARD THE STATE

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