News Release - City to Reduce Staffing Levels, City Hall Hours During Coronavirus Surge

City of Rochester

News Release

(Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020) — Mayor Lovely A. Warren today announced that the operating hours of Rochester City Hall, 30 Church St., will be reduced beginning Monday, Nov. 23. Until further notice, the new operating hours of City Hall will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and staffing levels at City Hall will be reduced to 25 percent, as a measure to protect both the City workforce and the members of the public who visit City Hall. However, the self-service drop boxes at City Hall will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. so customers can continue to submit permit applications or payments (customers are reminded not to leave cash in drop boxes). Drop boxes are also available at NSC offices.

“Reducing hours and staffing levels will allow us to give City Hall a deep cleaning each afternoon so that our workers and visitors can stay safe during this time of rapid spread of infection,” said Mayor Warren. “There remains the potential for additional actions to be directed by N.Y. State, but we want to be as proactive as possible as we enter the holiday season. I encourage the public to utilize the vast array of online services that can be found on the City’s website to take care of their business with City Hall.”

Those who do visit City facilities are required to wear masks, have their temperature screened and adhere to State and County social distancing guidelines. Entering and exiting City Hall is limited to the Link Entrance on Fitzhugh Street.

In addition to the changes in hours and staffing, the City’s REAL Rapid Response team is working on an initiative to encourage every person in our region to have their own individual COVID Plan. They will be announcing that plan and other details around that very soon. However, the Mayor is asking City employees and encouraging the public to start to think about their plans given the number of new cases and the community spread that’s happening in our community.

The following questions are an example of some of the things the public should be asking themselves now:

If I contract the virus, where will I quarantine in my house if I live with other people?

  1. Which bathroom will I use? Do I have disposable gloves and disinfectant to clean the things I touch if I only have one bathroom?
  2. How will my bills get paid in the meantime?
  3. Who will watch my children for me if I’m too sick to get out of bed? Make those arrangements now.
  4. How will I receive meals?
  5. Does my family or someone close to me know where my insurance cards are?
  6. Do my family members have my doctor’s name and number?
  7. If you live by yourself, who’s your emergency contact? 

The City is in the process of working with the Monroe County Health Department and its REAL Rapid Response team to develop a more detailed questionnaire. That team is being led by Doctor Cephas Archie.

“We want you to start thinking about, and planning now, because as we know, this can affect any family at any time,” said Mayor Warren. “In the meantime, these are the questions you should be asking yourselves so that you and your family are ready. Be assured, that the City Hall team is here for you. Be smart. Wear masks. Social distance and protect your circles.”

Click here for more information on the temporary changes to the operating hours of City libraries, Neighborhood Service Centers, the City Clerk and other City offices or call 311 within city limits.

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News Media: For more information, contact Bridgette Burch White at (585)428-6064 or at Bridgette.BurchWhite@cityofrochester.gov.