The City of Indianapolis and the Marion County Public Health Department have been collaborating in preparation for the arrival of the COVID-19 virus for some time.
Today, we have received new guidance. And we are prepared to act with immediate effect.
Today, we have received new guidance. And we are prepared to act with immediate effect.
Since last Friday we have remained in constant communication with the CDC and the Indiana State Department of Health anticipating that guidance could change as to how we can best protect the residents of Marion County from this emerging and evolving public threat.
In keeping with today’s announcement by the @StateHealthIN, I have directed the @Marion_Health to begin implementing local restrictions on all non-essential gatherings of more than 250 individuals in Indianapolis.
This restriction on non-essential gatherings will be in effect for 30 days, although we will continue monitoring the situation daily.
In addition, I have directed @Marion_Health to work with all thirteen school systems within our county -- as well as charter schools -- to close our public schools beginning next Monday, March 16th.
This closure, coupled with previously-planned Spring Break periods, will allow all of our school systems to remain closed through April 5th.
The closure of a school does not simply mean lost class time. For many of our students, it has the potential to mean lost meals. That’s why, working with Dr. Aleesia Johnson and our other superintendents, I am pledging the full support of City-County government...
toward ensuring that meals continue to be available throughout this school closure period. These efforts will be deemed essential government functions, and we pledge to continue serving our students and their families throughout this period of time.
In addition, after conversations with the Marion County courts, I have directed @IMPDnews to issue summonses in lieu of outright arrests for non-violent misdemeanors, subject to officer discretion that they believe an arrest is the only appropriate avenue to protect public safety
This, coupled with changes ordered by the Courts themselves today, should ensure that we are reserving our courts and our jails for those who need to be in them.
For the City-County government itself, over the next 24 hours we will begin implementing operational changes designed to protect our employees and the public while maintaining basic services.
Additional guidance will be issued tomorrow, but those changes will include:
- A ban on non-essential travel by city employees.
- Employees who can work from home are encouraged to do so beginning Monday.
- A ban on non-essential travel by city employees.
- Employees who can work from home are encouraged to do so beginning Monday.
- We will be encouraging all residents to take advantage of online government services whenever possible, and will be putting additional resources in place to ensure these online assets can handle the additional capacity.
- Our public safety agencies (@IMPDnews, @IFD_NEWS, @IndianapolisEMS) have begun implementing operational changes designed to protect our first responders, and the community as a whole.
- Effective immediately, @IndyParksandRec has suspended all programming for older adults and we are evaluating whether additional programming may need to be suspended.
- Working with the @IndyCouncil, we are also developing new tools for online engagement to ensure public access and public comments are still at the core of upcoming Council, board, and commission meetings, in light of restrictions on large gatherings.
I want to be clear that these restrictions will have serious impacts on commerce, social events, and functions planned long in advance or held every year.
To those who argue these policies will be disruptive, my answer is simple: they better be.
This virus and the threat it poses to our city, state, and country is massive.
This virus and the threat it poses to our city, state, and country is massive.
Left unchecked, it has the potential to wreak untold damage on our families and the very social safety net that protects our most vulnerable residents.
As neighbors. As family members. As citizens. As patriots… We must treat these changes not as inconveniences to bemoan but challenges to be met.
For employers, that means stepping up with common-sense policies to protect your employees and their families.
For employers, that means stepping up with common-sense policies to protect your employees and their families.
For the philanthropic and civic pillars of our community, it means stepping up with aid for those who will no doubt experience hardship as a result of these efforts.
For our medical community and first responders, it means exhibiting selflessness and dedication in the face of uncertainty.
For each and every one of us, it means checking on our elderly neighbors, monitoring guidance from public health authorities, and above all else embracing best practices to slow the spread of this virus.
I have faith in Indianapolis. I have seen us rise up time and time again and do difficult things as one city. These things won’t be easy and there are unfortunately more difficult days ahead.
But I am confident we are up to the challenge, and we are dedicated to doing all we can to make these efforts successful.
