March 24, 2020
To: Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Members Community
Business Resources:

  • Governor Baker has ordered that all “non-essential” businesses cease in-person operations until April 7, effective today at noon. These businesses are encouraged to continue operations “remotely”.

  • For the list of “COVID-19 essential services” click here.

  • Businesses that are NOT covered under current guidance can submit an online request to be designated as essential for the purposes of the Emergency Order. 

  • Please only request a designation if your business is NOT covered by the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance.


  • Unemployment Benefits: For the latest information about unemployment benefits and how to apply, please click here. For a step-by-step guide click here.

  • Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund: In partnership with the City of Gloucester and the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and working with local municipalities, Action Inc. is launching the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund to allow us to help hourly workers impacted by the crisis. Your support will help food service, retail, hospitality, childcare and other hourly workers struggling with lost income.
Chamber Updates:
  • Please help us provide up to date information to our members and the community as to the business impacts of COVID-19 by completing this survey. To date we have had 37 responses from a broad spectrum of businesses.
  • In accordance with the Governor’s emergency order the Chamber office will be closed for the next two weeks, with Chamber staff continuing to work remotely from home. All team members are available by email, calls to the Chamber will be forwarded and voice mail messages will be responded to by a member of the Chamber team.

  • The Chamber has built a special COVID-19 information and resource page on our website here. The page is updated regularly. Please send business updates to Olivia Perez-O’Dess ([email protected]).
Member & Community Updates:

Gloucester Daily Times Publisher Karen Andreas writes, “The Times remains firmly committed to delivering your news in print and online. We have a responsibility to you -- especially in times of emergency -- to provide news that is accurate and trustworthy. This is a commitment that we take seriously.” Read the full text of her letter to the Cape Ann community here .

Sheriff Kevin Coppinger is seeking help from Essex County businesses in procuring personal protection equipment to keep staff and inmate population safe from COVID-19. See the full text of his letter here .

Cape Ann Business Operations (Please check our website for the most current information) :

  • Supermarket, Pharmacy & Convenience Store Information: Click here.

  • Bank Information: Click here.

  • Food Take-Out and Delivery Information: TODAY IS THE GREAT AMERICAN TAKE-OUT DAY – LET’S SUPPORT OUR LOCAL EATERIES. Click here.

Education & Training Resources:


  • Cape Ann Museum’s Timeship: Visit the museum’s Education page and learn about Timeship, distributed to appropriate grade levels throughout the community free of charge.

  • Cape Ann Art Haven: Learn how to make a mini-elevator with your children using household materials here!

Community Services:

  • The Open Door: The Open Door is making every effort to keep our programs operating during this COVID-19 (Coronavirus) event, with some adjustments. Please check their Facebook page for updates. The Gloucester Food Pantry remains open Monday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM, for curbside pick-up only.

  • Action Inc. continues to provide services via phone appointments and email. Action’s Emergency Shelter remains open and operational. All Main Office and Energy Office services will be available Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. If you have general inquiries or questions, please call 978-282-1000 or [email protected]. You can also live chat with team members at actioninc.org
Helping and Supporting One Another:

  • Dogtown Books is offering curb-side pick up or FREE shipping to anywhere in the US on made-to-order Stay At Home Book Boxes. Visit their website for more information.

  • Rockport Music’s Midday Music Series continues. Listen to today’s concert here.

  • Dreamtime Wellness goes virtual! Click here for info.

  • Cape Ann Museum: The museum is offering lectures on their Vimeo page, currently featuring lectures from their Judith Sargent Murray lecture series. Discovering Fitz Henry Lane Online—a freely-accessible online resource created by the Cape Ann Museum. 

  • Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF): The COVID-19 Response Fund for Non-Profits will help non-profits across Essex County. Find more information here.

  • Joanne MacInnis, RN, President of Aberdeen Home Care, will be live on North Shore 104.9FM at 8:45 each morning, with up to the minute information about COVID-19. Tune in!

  • The Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department is offering pick-up and delivery services for residents identified as higher risk or for those who are self-quarantined. This includes the delivery of groceries, prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines and vital supplies. Manchester residents are asked to call 978-526-1212 to set up deliveries and for all non-emergency matters.

As we learn of more creative ways that our members and our communities are adapting and responding, we will share them through all our Chamber communications channels.
Information Resources:

For the most current information about the federal, state and local response to COVID-19 – including information of particular relevance to employers and employees, we recommend visiting the following websites: 


  • MEMA: Read MEMA’s March 23 update here.





For information and updates specific to one’s local community, we recommend visiting the following city and town websites for Cape Ann:





Our goal as always is to serve as a trusted resource in providing our business community and residents with helpful information and guidance during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The members of your team here at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce are here for you, as we all pull together to meet and overcome the challenges of COVID-19.