The city of Akron is telling its nonessential workers to stay home.
Mayor Dan Horrigan on Tuesday, March 17, announced that effective Friday, March 20, all city employees his administration categorizes as nonessential will not report to work, a news release said. The workers will return only on orders from Horrigan. The city said the move is to protect employees from the spread of the coronavirus.
City workers will be notified Wednesday, March 18, of their status. The move means about 600 of the city's roughly 1,800 employees will be categorized as nonessential and will not be working, the release said. For workers deemed essential, city will provide instructions on how they might be able to work remotely and how to manage exposure to COVID-19.
Furloughed workers can use their own accumulated personal leave and if that runs out, they can begin unpaid leave and seek unemployment benefits, city press secretary Ellen Lander Nischt said in an email. City workers also have the option to run a deficit balance, meaning they will continue to get paid
by the city and "repay" the leave time later, she said.
"We cannot guarantee who will receive unemployment, but the city is encouraging any employees who may choose unpaid leave to apply," she said.
The city will continue health care benefits for all eligible employees during this period, the release said.
Essential employees will still report to work, the city said. Those include all police, fire and EMS personnel, along with workers who provide direct public services and those "carrying out high-level functions in administration, finance, legal and communications," the release said.
Akron will continue to provide all critical city services, including 911 service, police protection and fire protection
, EMS services, water and sewer services, trash and recycling, street cleaning and maintenance, utility billing and the 3-1-1 information call center, the city said.
"At this time, residents should expect no change in the level of public services we provide. However, they are asked to extend patience and understanding as local government navigates this unprecedented situation, and as circumstances change rapidly," Horrigan said in the release. "These are temporary measures designed to stop the spread of this disease and save lives. Our focus will be on doing what is necessary to keep the city as safe, clean and healthy as possible."
This latest move comes as the city deals with the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. In previous actions, Horrigan ordered all community centers closed and limited access
to city buildings. Residents are asked to pay bills and interact with city offices via phone, mail or email.
Akron on Tuesday also announced the closure of all city golf courses and Lock 3 Park.
The city has set up a website for users to stay up to date on Akron-specific COVID-19 news.
"I look forward to the day when we can lift these protective measures and begin to return to normal life," Horrigan said in the release. "Until that time, I want to extend my gratitude to all city employees and residents for their commitment to doing what it takes to help 'flatten the curve' of this pandemic. As a nation, it is not an exaggeration to say that we are at war with the COVID-19 virus. We have all been called upon to do our part and temporarily sacrifice for the greater good. In particular, I want to thank those first responders and health care workers who will continue to selflessly put themselves at risk."
