Release Date: April 6,2020

City of Akron Extends Local Orders to Align with Extended State of Ohio Stay-at-Home Order

Akron, Ohio, April 6, 2020 – Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan is upholding his pledge to implement the guidance and orders of the State of Ohio and public health officials, and is extending City office closures and directing non-essential City employees to continue to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Governor Mike Dewine and Health Director, Dr. Amy Acton amended and extended the State of Ohio Stay at Home Order through May 1, 2020. The following day, the City of Akron Department of Human Resources informed those City employees who have been categorized as “non-essential” that they will be required to stay home for the duration of the extended Order. Essential employees, including all sworn police and fire/EMS personnel, those providing direct public services, and those carrying out high level functions in administration, finance, legal and communications will continue to work. Some essential City employees have been directed to work remotely, as appropriate.

“I want to make one thing absolutely clear: whether categorized as ‘essential’ or ‘non-essential’ every single City employees is a respected member of our workforce, and their contributions are valued and appreciated,” Mayor Horrigan said. “We are all making sacrifices. Many who are at home wish they could still be at work, and many who are still reporting to work wish that they could be home. But this crisis requires us all to be resilient and persevere through great discomfort and uncertainty. I know that the people of Akron, including our City employees, are rising to this challenge and proving their grit and goodness to the world. I am incredibly proud to be your Mayor—now and always—and I look forward to the day when we can jumpstart our recovery, together.”

All local orders will remain in place, until further notice, unless otherwise ordered by Mayor Horrigan. Please visit www.akronohio.gov/COVID19 for details. City orders include:

All community centers, playgrounds, and courts are closed. All Lock 3 and Recreation programming is postponed until at least June 1. City parks remain open as green space, however, residents must follow social distancing guidelines and avoid close contact with individuals outside of their household while visiting the parks.
City offices are closed to the public. Applications, payments, and communications are being accepted online or over the phone. Essential services related to public health and safety are still being provided in person, when necessary.
Akron City Council has cancelled all regularly scheduled in-person Council meetings and will be holding special virtual meetings, which will be livestreamed for the public. All City boards and commissions are temporarily suspended, while the City explores alternatives to in-person meetings/hearings.
A moratorium on water service disconnections is in place. Mayor Horrigan has ordered that all Akron water customers be provided full water service, regardless of delinquency. Water and sewer charges still apply, but no service will be shut off during this moratorium to ensure continuous access to safe, healthy drinking water for all families.
City business travel and in-person meetings are suspended; and a hiring freeze is in place.
Bulk trash pickup services have been paused for the health and safety of City workers.

For the most up-to-date information on the City of Akron’s proactive response to this virus, and links to resources, please visit www.akronohio.gov/COVID19. For information from Summit County Public Health or concerns about compliance with the Stay-at-Home Order, visit www.scph.org/covid-19 or call their hotline at (330) 926-5795. For information regarding the State of Ohio’s continuing efforts, please visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-427-5634.