COLUMBUS – Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in the face of a growing coronavirus outbreak.
He said the move was necessary “for the city to continue to operate and for the protection of our employees and, ultimately, our residents.”
Police officers, firefighters, public health nurses, utility plant operators, refuse collectors and other essential personnel, who make up nearly three-fourths of the city’s workforce will remain on the job.
Starting Wednesday, the city’s remaining 1,300 full-time employees will remain at home, some working remotely, Ginther said.
All full-time city employees will continue to be paid and part-time employees will be paid for hours they work, he said.