FAYETTEVILLE -- Mayor Lioneld Jordan has instructed city staff to restrict travel and to consider whether upcoming public meetings should go on as planned in light of the new coronavirus.
Air travel for business purposes has been suspended for all city staff. This guideline will be reevaluated at the end of the month, according to a city news release.
Department heads will evaluate staff business travel out of state by car based on meeting location and group size, and must be approved by Chief of Staff Susan Norton and Jordan.
Staff members currently out of state on business travel will self-monitor their temperature and health upon return, for a period of no less than 14 days, the release states.
Staff has been encouraged to use caution and good judgment when engaged in personal travel to or through regions with confirmed cases and should practice preventative measures as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the release.
The city also is evaluating staffing levels required to ensure the continuation of core services. City staff are encouraged to consider virtual meetings in place of face-to-face meetings with multiple attendees.
First responders are taking steps to reduce exposure risks and protect core services. They are equipped with personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves. First responders are limiting direct contact with community members during emergency response events, especially in long-term care homes where residents have an elevated health risk and are more susceptible to the coronavirus.
"By limiting unnecessary exposure during service calls, responders likewise reduce the potential for unknowingly transmitting the illness to others," the release states.
The city is reviewing upcoming meetings and events and considering whether these should continue as scheduled.
A public workshop and presentation about the planned Midtown trail project in Fayetteville has been closed to the public. City staff will still present public feedback received about the project and will record the presentation on video, which residents will be able to watch online. The event originally was to open at 5:30 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sycamore Avenue.
Individuals, groups and organizations planning to hold private events are urged to prioritize the health and safety of residents and visitors and consider postponing or rescheduling events to a later date.
The city has set up a web page at fayetteville-ar.gov/covid19 with regular updates.
NW News on 03/13/2020