At last night City Council meeting, Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol declared a state of emergency in Dubuque in response the coronavirus (COVID-10). 

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dubuque County but the proclamation follows the Iowa Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) notification of community spread of the virus in Iowa and recommendation of the immediate implementation of mitigation measures to slow the spread of the virus, as well as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ recommendation that all Iowa schools close for four weeks.
“One of the greatest responsibilities of an elected official is the protection of the electorate served and the protection of the greater public health and safety,” stated Boul. “I hereby determine that a state of emergency or public danger exists.”
Through tonight’s proclamation, Mayor Buol is prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people on public property and strongly suggests private gatherings of 50 or more people on private property should be avoided. The proclamation follows a statement last week encouraging social distancing.
In addition, the proclamation also orders the closure of some City buildings, for the protection of residents and city staff.  Specifically, the City of Dubuque is closing the following City buildings to public access beginning Tuesday, March 17, through at least Sunday, April 12:
  • City Hall, 50 W. 13th St.
  • City Hall Annex, 1300 Main St.
  • Housing & Community Development Department, Historic Federal Building, 350 W 6th St.
  • Leisure Services Department Office and Bunker Hill Golf Course, 2200 Bunker Hill Rd.
  • Municipal Services Center, 925 Kerper Ct.
  • Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave
  • Comiskey Park Building, 255 E. 24th St.
  • Allison Henderson Park Building, 1500 Loras Blvd.
City staff in these buildings will continue to work and provide services to the public electronically, by phone, by mail, and when necessary, by appointment.  Details on payment options for utility bills, parking tickets, and all permits and fees will be announced tomorrow.
Additionally, all City of Dubuque Leisure Services recreational programs and Multicultural Family Center (MFC) programs are cancelled through at least April 12. City staff will contact those registered and offer refunds and/or credits. Registration for summer programs will not begin until at least April 13. Please note, all meetings and other gatherings scheduled at the Comiskey Park building and the Allison Henderson building are cancelled. During the shutdown, City staff will be sanitizing all areas of each of these facilities.
City staff is currently working on a method that would allow the MFC’s Food Pantry scheduled for Friday, March 20, to continue -- while keeping both the pantry participants, volunteers, and staff protected by following the protocols of the CDC and IDPH. City staff will be corresponding with Food Pantry participants to provide updates.
For information and questions related to City services and programs, please contact the appropriate City department or submit a request through the City’s Citizen Support Center at www.cityofdubuque.org.
For information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.  For Dubuque County specific information, call the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association at 563.556.6200 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), the Dubuque County Health Department at 563.557.7396 (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), or the City of Dubuque Health Services Department at 563.589.4181(8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday).

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