(BLOOMINGTON) – Following Governor Eric Holcomb’s Stay-at-Home order (Executive Order 20-08) issued Monday, March 23, the City of Bloomington will close City Hall and other facilities to the public after the close of business today in an effort to limit the opportunity for viral transmission in the community and the City workforce.
While City offices will be closed to the public, City staff will continue to deliver services at worksites (following CDC protocols) or remotely as allowed.
As part of the effort to limit community spread of the coronavirus and in accordance with Executive Order 20-08, the Parks and Recreation Department is also closing playgrounds and workout stations in the City.
The Executive Order that Hoosiers stay in their homes unless working for an essential business or doing an essential activity will be in effect from Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m. to Monday, April 6 at 11:59 p.m.
The temporary closings follow that of other City facilities (including recreational and community centers and the Downtown Transit Center) and the cancellation or rescheduling of numerous events, public meetings, and routine City inspections over the last two weeks made in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with the public health guidelines that will help us protect our community,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “As we weather these challenging times, the City is committed to continuing to provide our residents and businesses with the services they depend on.”
City government continues to deliver core services including public safety, water and wastewater treatment and supply, transit, street maintenance, sanitation, and public housing. Staff who work in the field continue to do so, observing public health guidelines for physical distancing and hygiene, and staying home when sick.
City Hall employees who are able to telework have been encouraged and equipped to do so for the last two weeks; additional staff will begin teleworking Wednesday per the gubernatorial order.
City employees who are unable to perform their normal functions because of the reduction in operations are being temporarily reassigned within the organization; all regular full- and part-time City employees will continue to be paid during the period of the Stay-at-Home order.
City department heads and a staff task force addressing the continuity of City government services continue to meet virtually several times a week, as do other inter- and intradepartmental teams.
Another Executive Order (20-09) issued Monday lifted the requirement that municipal bodies such as boards and commissions and City Council maintain a physical presence to conduct meetings, and permitted fully electronic meetings.
The City will continue to provide live streaming and archived recordings of public meetings through CATS and on the City’s website, where residents can share comments via an online form. More information about other virtual channels for contacting the City is available here.
Parks and trails continue to be open to visitors from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, but playgrounds and workout stations will be marked off with caution tape and signs. Indoor Parks facilities, including Twin Lakes Recreation Center, the Allison-Jukebox Center, and the Banneker Center, are closed to the public.
Plans for the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market’s 2020 season incorporating evolving health and safety guidelines will be announced later this week.