Caribou area community updates, week of April 1, 2020

4 years ago

These are some of the latest updates we’ve received regarding events and schedules changed due to coronavirus precautions. Visit our websites, thecounty.me, fiddleheadfocus.com and bangordailynews.com, for continually updated information about coronavirus in The County and in Maine.

Cary Medical Center — All patients and visitors must enter the hospital through the emergency room entrance only so they can be screened for respiratory symptoms and fever. Rehabilitation Services or One-Day Surgery patients can report to those respective entrances but will be screened upon arrival.

Northern Light Caribou Health Center will continue pediatric visits only.  Fort Fairfield Health Center will see all non-potentially contagious adult patients (no fever or associated respiratory problems). 

Spring Festival Market  — The Spring Festival Market and Plant Swap at Micmac Farms in Caribou, planned for Saturday, April 11, has been canceled.

Agency on Aging — The Aroostook Agency on Aging maintains its staff and volunteer network. Anyone with questions or requests should call the switchboard at 207-764-3396 or toll-free at 1-800-439-1789. Visit aroostookaging.org and go to the COVID-19 section for more details. 

License reprieves — Many credentials issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that expire within the current state emergency period will be extended, including driver’s licenses, driver permits, state ID cards, commercial driver licenses, dealer licenses, salvage motor vehicle recycler licenses, driver/rider school licenses and instructor licenses. Driver license vision test requirements are waived during this period, as are registration requirements for vehicles and trailers after transfer of title or ownership.

Confession — Parish priests at Parish of the Precious Blood are offering confession. Interested parties can call the rectory at (207) 498-2536. Visit the Portland Diocese’s COVID-19 response page at www.portlanddiocese.org/content/response-coronavirus.

Holy Week — The Diocese of Portland has issued Holy Week and Easter protocols. Celebrations will not be open to the public. Visit www.portlanddiocese.org/content/response-coronavirus for live stream, broadcast and other opportunities. Palm Sunday, April 5: No distribution of palms to the public. Chrism Mass: Postponed to a later date. Mass of the Holy Oils at North Caribou: Cancelled. Holy Thursday, April 9: No washing of feet and no Blessed Sacrament procession. Good Friday, April 10: No procession or public veneration. Holy Saturday, April 11: Easter Vigil celebration is only permitted in parishes where it can be live-streamed. 

Boy Scouts — The Katahdin Area Council has postponed all Pinewood Derby events until a later date.

To help in Maine — Gov. Mills on March 27 launched a new online resource, coronavirus.maine.gov/mainehelps, to outline ways Maine people can support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit unitedwayaroostook.org, payitforwardmaine.com or redcrossblood.org. FMI: coronavirus.maine.gov/.