City buildings are limiting public access effective today, March 18th, to protect employees and the public from coronavirus spread. Though the functions and services of City offices continue normally, public interactions have become too risky with infections on the rise statewide.
All City offices have made changes except Ashland Police Department, which is open for officially mandated walk-in business only. To accommodate necessary functions, each building has contact information posted on the normal entry doors indicating how to contact staff and conduct business. The Utility Billing and Community Development offices will work with customers to conduct transactions normally made in person at the counter.
“We are open for business, but the way we’re doing business has changed to protect our employees and our citizens,” said Kelly Madding, City Administrator.
At this point, all City government departments are operating except advisory Commission and Committee meetings and face-to-face interaction. As this situation evolves, additional changes to services may be put in place.
Starting last Sunday, the City of Ashland activated its Emergency Management Organization, met with local organizations and the Chamber of Commerce, distributed hygiene stations, and created a one-stop shopping website for COVID-19 information at
www.ashland.or.us/coronavirus.
