COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus officials have decided to keep city buildings closed through Jan. 31 due to the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in Bartholomew County and the state.
During this time, city business will continue with employees still working, answering phone calls and emails and meeting with members of the public by appointment only.
“We’re open to the public, we just don’t want people wandering around throughout the building,” said Mary Ferdon, executive director of administration and community development.
Public city meetings will be conducted virtually through January. This includes meetings for City Council, the Board of Works and Public Safety, City Utilities Board, Human Rights Commission, Redevelopment Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Meetings will be livestreamed and available via WebEx.
Last month, the city announced that it would close buildings starting on Nov. 16. Ferdon said that the closures were extended due to local COVID-19 data.
“We’re following the numbers that come from the COVID-19 task force, the local metrics,” she said. “And, like the rest of Indiana and nationally, we are seeing the numbers tick up.”
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
