[Summit] Fw: Mayor Elorza's COVID-19 Update March 17 + Zoo Closed [Covid News no. 29]

Wed Mar 18 01:14:26 UTC 2020

 In addition to the Natural History Museum and Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park, its Zoo is also closed to the public (hoping to reopen to the public on April 1st); no fun allowed until further notice. 
(Now I know how lucky I was to visit the Zoo with my brother in February.)
Roger Williams Park Zoo

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Roger Williams Park Zoo |

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Dave

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Mayor Jorge O. Elorza <citynews at providenceri.gov>To: Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 07:59:17 PM EDTSubject: COVID-19 Update March 17

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March 17, 2020
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| Haga clic aquí para español |

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Dear neighbor -

Thank you for your continued cooperation as the City updates its policies in response to the current public health crisis. Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our community is my top priority, and the entire City team is deeply appreciative of your efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  

Today, I announced a series of temporary operational changes that will help minimize disruption to the delivery of essential city services. While so much about where we find ourselves is uncertain, we remain dedicated to meeting the needs of our residents, students, and business community with the same level of efficiency and professionalism as we normally would. 

Although all public facilities and City buildings are closed to the public, essential departments and services including our public safety departments, curbside trash, and recycling collection by our vendors and the Mayor’s Center for City Services will continue to operate without interruption. Our city inspections team will also work diligently to make sure properties across the city are safe to use, and that our parks, walking paths and play spaces are open for those who would like to use them. We continue to ask residents who use these spaces to stay off playground equipment, as their cleanliness cannot be guaranteed, and maintain the social distancing practices.

Other services, including tax collection, tax assessment, vital records, licensing, deeds and title searches, as well as complaint intake by the Providence Human Relations Commission will be accessible primarily online, but email, mail and phone services are also available as needed. In circumstances where documents need to be hand-delivered, you can drop off documents on Tuesdays and Thursday between 10AM and 1PM at City Hall by buzzing for assistance at the Eddy Street wheelchair-accessible entrance, or by using the drop-box located on Eddy Street outside of City Hall and on Greene Street outside of the Joseph Doorley Building. Drop-boxes will be checked twice a week to ensure that documents are received in a timely manner, but please note that processing may take additional time as staffing is limited.

Following the Governor’s announcement yesterday, all public meetings that are non-essential will be postponed for the next 30 days and all essential meetings will also be moved online or by phone as specified. The Board of Contract and Supply will continue to receive bids according to the current schedule on city contracts through in person drop-off at our two drop-box locations. We will continue to accept bids the same day as the Board of Contract and Supply meetings by offering drop-offs between the hours of 11 AM and 2:15 PM using the Eddy Street wheelchair-accessible entrance of City Hall and buzzing for assistance from a member of the City Clerk’s office.

In addition to City buildings and facilities, all public school buildings, the netWORKri One-stop Operation Center, all recreation centers, the Botanical Center, the Museum of Natural History, BankNewport City Center and the Providence Rink, and Housing and Municipal Court as directed by the City Council will also not be accessible to the public. All special event permits, entertainment licenses, and public programming will continue to be suspended for the time being to limit the gathering of more than 25 people.

Many of these changes you will notice have already been implemented in an effort to ensure that we are still serving the needs of our community. We have also worked with the State and our Public Schools to ensure our kids can get the healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinners they rely on each day at locations across the city. Any youth 18 and under can receive a free, packaged lunch and no ID is required.
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We know that this situation is changing rapidly, and having access to timely, accurate information is critical to our residents. Effective at 12:01AM, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, these changes will be standard for our community until further notice. For a full list of operations changes, please visit our website and for the latest updates on local efforts to combat COVID-19 please visit PVDCOVID19.com. Please remember that you can always call to connect to the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1 (8:00 AM-8:00 PM, seven days a week), visit PVD311.com or download the PVD311 mobile app on your smartphone for 24/7 access for more information. Residents can also register to receive CodeRED emergency notifications by phone, email, text, and/or mobile alerts for the latest updates from the City and to reach out to the Rhode Island Department of Health’s COVID-19 Assistance Line at 401-222-8022 Monday through Friday during regular business hours should they have additional questions. Residents can also call United Way at 2-1-1 for additional assistance.  

Again, we thank you for the part you play during this critical moment. Please continue to virtually check-in with your neighbors and help each other follow best practices. We will continue to provide updates via newsletter and social media. Until then, stay safe and care for one another.

Sincerely,

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza
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Providence : The Creative Capital.

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