This past weekend, temperatures in Bedford overnight were sustained at a level where a hard frost is considered to have occurred – below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 2 hours. When temperatures reach this level, the elevated risk from mosquito-borne disease is considered to have ended. As such, the ban on evening activities in Bedford is lifted.
Although the local activity ban is lifted, please be advised the Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to list Bedford as a community with Moderate Risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The state has indicated they will remove all risk levels across the state at once when the state-wide average temperatures meet the conditions for a hard frost. Therefore, because the state still considers Bedford to be at the moderate risk level, the following precautions are advised to prevent exposure to bites from mosquitoes that may carry EEE:
- Wear long sleeves and long pants when outside from dusk to dawn;
- Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens;
- Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn; and,
- Avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity.
The Board of Health understands that the imposed restrictions on evening activities were challenging to the community and they appreciate the efforts taken by the residents, town government and the schools to support the restrictions to keep everyone safe.
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