MATTAPOISETT --  With five cases of coronavirus in Plymouth County as of March 18, The Board of Selectmen met remotely for the first time and declared a state of emergency in response to the virus on March 19. 

Declaring a state of emergency makes the town eligible for state, federal and possibly county assistance, said former Town Administrator Michael Gagne, who led the meeting from Town Hall with current Town Administrator Michael Lorenco. 

The declaration said the disease “presents a major disaster that poses an immediate threat to the health, safety and general welfare of people residing both within and outside Mattapoisett,” and authorizes the town to make emergency expenditures. 

Mattapoisett will remain in a state of emergency until Selectmen judge that it is no longer needed. 

The two member board passed the motion unanimously with no discussion.

The state currently has 256 cases of the virus, which is extremely contagious and can spread from person to person without symptoms. In Mattapoisett, all town buildings and schools are closed, with restaurants open only for takeout and daycares set to close in the coming days.