COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus officials have decided to continue the closure of most city buildings through Feb. 28 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We believe that we’ve been able to operate city services very well over the past few months using this method of operation,” said Mary Ferdon, executive director of administration and community development. “We recognize that the numbers, right now, look much better than they have, which has been great, but we’re just going to continue through the next month. … We’re just so cognizant of what CDC and local health guidelines are. And as we all wait to get vaccinated, we’re just going to continue with this protocol.”
City employees are still working and will meet with members of the public by appointment only. Appointments can be made by contacting the specific city department via phone or email.
Ferdon said that an individual with an appointment should call to be let in once they get to the door of the city building. She added that there will be a temperature check, and masks are available for those who do not have one.
During this time, the city will continue holding virtual public meetings, which will be livestreamed and available via WebEx. If Gov. Eric Holcomb’s emergency order allowing virtual meetings is not extended through February, the city will return to in-person meetings and notify the public of the change.
Virtual public meetings will include meetings for City Council, the Board of Works and Public Safety, the City Utilities Board, the Human Rights Commission, the Redevelopment Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
“As long as this protocol works, we’ll continue it on a month-to-month basis,” Ferdon said. If the governor’s emergency order changed, this would cause the city to reevaluate the closures.
“We will revisit this decision based on what happens over the next month, as we review the level of community spread throughout the county and the pace of local vaccinations,” the city stated in its press release.
Ferdon noted that individuals should keep following COVID-19 protocols such as wearing masks, social distancing and not gathering in large groups.
“Even after people are vaccinated, we’ll need to continue these protocols until what the medical professionals call ‘herd immunity,’” she said.
