PRESS RELEASE – March 20th, 2019 – CITY OF NORTON, KANSAS

In response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the City of Norton has been monitoring various governmental agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas Governor’s Executive Orders, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Norton County Public Health Department and Norton County Hospital.

The President has made COVID-19 guidelines to slow the spread, this includes the recommendation that groups of 10 or more people should not gather, and that persons work at home whenever possible. KDHE issued new mandates on March 18th, 2020 for quarantine and isolation of travelers and close contacts. Those mandates include a 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who have traveled to certain states, counties in Colorado, cruise ships or river cruises, and for travelers who have been told by public health to quarantine.

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In the interest of public safety, effective at 5:00 p.m. on Friday March 20th, 2020 the City will make the following directives:

• The City Office at 301 E. Washington Street will be closed to the public. The City office will have staff available to help with any issues you may have during normal business hours. All city bills may be paid online at https://www.cityofnorton.com; by mail; by drop off at the City drop box on the south side of the City Building; or by calling the City and making arrangements for payment.

• If you have any other business with the City you may call the City office at (785) 877-5000 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If you have an emergency after hours, please call the County Dispatch at (785) 877-5780 or if it is life-threatening dial 911. You may also go on the City website at https://www.cityofnorton.com for updated information and for a further City Directory.

• If you have business with the Norton Police Department, you may call them at (785) 874-5148 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If you have business after hours, please at (785) 877-5010 or if it is an emergency dial 911.

• Norton Municipal Court will be canceled until April 15th, 2020. If you have business with the City Court, you may call the municipal court clerk at (785) 874-5148 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for information and arrangements.

• All group recreational programming, group games or practices that may have been scheduled on City ballfields or at City parks will be prohibited until further notice.

• City Council will continue to meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and in committees. The Council room will allow up to 10 persons to be present. Those in excess of ten will be required to attend by teleconference. The public and council members may attend those meetings by teleconference. If you desire to attend a meeting, or be on the agenda, or to speak at a meeting, please notify the City Office at (785) 877-5000 in advance and arrangements will be made for your attendance. All meetings, agendas and directions to join a meeting are posted at https://www.cityofnorton.com.

• The City will continue to provide essential services such as water, wastewater, trash, police and fire. Our dispatchers and safety service providers will be asking additional questions to assist in determining precautions necessary to ensure everyone's safety.

• For general information please contact the City Offices at (785) 877-5000.

Approved as Superintending Directive of Mayor pursuant to Norton City Code 1-204.