New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Due to the threat of exposure to the mosquito-borne illness, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and in response to the City of New Bedford’s closure at dusk of parks and other open public spaces as of August 16, 2019, New Bedford Public Schools is curtailing its outdoor evening activities.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has classified the risk level in Greater New Bedford as ‘critical’ for EEE.
Use of school playgrounds near or after dusk is strongly discouraged, and daytime use should include clothing aimed at reducing mosquito bites, along with the use of insect repellent which include “DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin,” according to the city’s press release.
Sports practice sessions and outdoor rehearsals will be impacted.
Thomas Tarpey, NBPS Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics, issued the following statement: “All coaches at New Bedford High School have been notified that all practices have to be completed by dusk. All schedules will be altered to accommodate this request. All athletes and parents will be notified of these changes as soon as possible.”
Lynn Souza, NBPS Director of Fine Arts, noted that Band Camp is being conducted indoors.
