(MURFREESBORO) Murfreesboro City Hall will be closed to the public, effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, until further notice. Critical operations will continue.

The temporary City Hall closure follows executive orders, including Executive Order 17, by Governor Bill Lee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement also follows an order, issued on Saturday, March 21, by Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland, declaring a local 'State of Emergency' for the City. The City's local declaration became effective at 6:00 p.m. Saturday with specific measures effective at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Monday, March 23, 2020. The declaration order is attached.

"Effective Wednesday, March 25, City Hall will be closed to the public but will remain open to employees in order to help maintain the continuity of government and deliver critical City services to our citizens," said Mayor Shane McFarland. "City employees will continue to deliver critical services to our residents throughout this challenging time as we battle the coronavirus threat. More than ever, Murfreesboro citizens will continue to rely on us to deliver critical services and support while we navigate these unprecedented days together."

City Manager Craig Tindall stated, "Our goal is to balance the community's need for critical services with employee safety. Therefore, while we will close City Hall to the public, City offices will remain operational but with limited staff. Limited staffing is intended to reduce the potential spread of the virus. Some service delivery may be delayed. Critical services will be unaffected, including public safety, water and sewer service, emergency management, and communications. Solid waste pickup will also continue; however, residents are requested to curtail setting out brush, limb, and grass clippings until further notice. Commercial landscapers are reminded that they are required to haul away all debris under all circumstances. Additionally, the City continues to encourage everyone to follow CDC and Tennessee Department of Health guidelines and recommendations."

The following is a list of departments with customer service changes due to closure of City Hall. Please visit these sites for more information:

• Finance & Tax Department http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/131/Finance-Tax
• Building & Codes Department http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/101/Building-Codes
• Planning Department http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/210/Planning-Zoning
• Human Resources Department http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/148/Human-Resources
• Transportation Department http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/266/Transportation
• Public Transit (Rover) http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/248/Public-Transit---Rover-Bus-System

For online payments, visit http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/366/Online-Payments.

Governor Bill Lee's Executive Order 17 enacted provisions regarding restaurants, bars, gyms fitness/exercise centers, and nursing homes. For detailed information, visit the Office of Governor website at https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html.

The Mayor's local "State of Emergency" Order (March 21), among other things:

• Food Service: Orders that establishments whose primary business is alcohol service or food service (other than pick-up, take-out, delivery, or drive-through service) within the City of Murfreesboro close for on-site consumption, effective at 12:00 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2020, and shall remain closed for on-site consumption until the Order is withdrawn;
• Gyms/Fitness Facilities: Orders all gyms and exercise and fitness facilities within the City of Murfreesboro close effective at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, and shall remain closed until this Order is withdrawn; this restriction does not apply to rehabilitative services in healthcare facilities or offices;
• CDC Guidelines: Declares that the City, to the extent possible and provided by law, shall follow CDC guidance as it relates to COVID-19, and specifically authorizes the City Manager to take reasonably necessary steps to limit person-to-person public access to City offices and facilities and to develop and implement alternative work arrangements and schedules to protect City employees during this pandemic [Visit CDC for the latest https://www.cdc.gov/ ];
• City Code: Suspends certain procedures and formalities otherwise required under the Murfreesboro City Code or Tennessee law pertaining to how the City conducts its operations;
• Health Guidance: Encourages all members of the public and businesses to follow and comply with guidance and directives issued by the federal CDC as well as the Tennessee and Rutherford County departments of health [for more information visit TN Dept. of Health https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html; and
• Community Appeal: Encourages all members of the public to remain calm, to resist panic purchasing, to consider their neighbors who have need, and to look after and help those most at risk of this pandemic to include the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems.

The Mayor issued the order pursuant to special emergency powers granted to local governments pursuant to state law.

Persons with medical concerns should continue to contact their primary healthcare provider or call the Rutherford County Health Department at 615-898-7880 to be connected with appropriate resources.