Friday, March 13, 2020 at 6:30 PM
COVID-19 Response Plan
Community Plan
The City encourages the public to limit social interactions, use proper handwashing and excellent hygiene to limit spread of disease The City encourages local businesses, organizations, and faith-based communities to take precautions to limit spread of disease, and follow CDC guidance on continuing business operations The City will work with Lincoln County Emergency Management and the South Dakota Department of Health when and if the Emergency Operations Plan is activated The City encourages community groups and organizations to postpone events and large gatherings until further notice The City encourages residents to take common sense precautions to limit social interaction, such as limiting non-essential trips to counties with known confirmed cases of Coronavirus, including Sioux Falls.
Continuity of Operations:  Continuing to provide critical services – such as sanitary sewers, drinking water, law enforcement and EMS during this pandemic remains a top priority for the City of Lennox. While reported cases in South Dakota remain limited, the City is adopting the following plans:
Until a case of Coronavirus is confirmed in Lennox:
Finance/Administration.
o  Front Desk personnel will use gloves for all public interactions, such as taking payments for utilities or other services.
o  Work stations, restrooms, counters, and door handles will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution each evening.
o  Encourage the public to pay utility bills or other fees online or over the phone. Individuals needing assistance in doing so should contact City Hall at 605.647.2286
Public Works
o  Limit close contact with members of the public during your work day.
o  Vehicle handles, steering wheels, building doors, work stations, will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution each evening
Ambulance
o  Masks, goggles, and gloves will be worn on all medical calls until further notice
o  Ambulances will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution after each call
o  Ambulances transporting suspected cases of Coronavirus will remove the vehicle from service for a minimum of two hours. Upon completion of the two hour time, the ambulance will be disinfected.
o  Order disinfection and infection control/PPE supplies to ensure availability for each department
o  No riders or extra personnel will be allowed on calls unless requested for critical care
Police
o  Gloves will be worn on each stop or service call
o  Work stations and patrol vehicles will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution after each shift
o  Officers will respond only to medical calls that involve trauma or need immediate life-saving measures. In such instances, responding officers will use gloves and masks
Library
o  The Lennox Community Library is closed to the public until further notice
Parks and Recreation
o  Current planning for recreation programs will continue
o  The Lennox Swimming Pool opening will remain on-schedule
Senior Center
o  The City of Lennox will immediately close the Lennox Senior Center to the public. Meals will continue to be home delivered.
Building Permits/Inspections
o  Inspections will continue as planned. Personnel will utilize gloves in conducting all inspections.
Public Meetings and Events
Summer Sign-Up – This event has been cancelled. An online event will be explored. Election Day – Election Day on April 14 will continue as planned. Voters will wash or sanitize hands upon entering City Hall and upon completion of voting. Voting stations, pens, and tables will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution after each vote. City Council and Planning Commission Meetings. City Council and Planning Commission meetings will continue as scheduled. However, residents are encouraged to attend these meetings virtually through the City’s live streaming service on YouTube. Residents wishing to speak during public comment are encouraged to submit statements or comments in advance to be read on their behalf and/or distributed to the City Council. Library Story Time – This event has been cancelled until further notice. Non-essential employee travel will be suspended
When a case of Coronavirus is confirmed in Lennox:
When a case is confirmed in Lennox, the City will respond based on the availability of essential and non-essential personnel. This determination is not a decision as to the worth of a position, but rather the necessity of that position’s services during times of emergency. The following table provides a determination of which personnel fall into which category:
Determination of Essential/Non-Essential Staff
All personnel who are not sick or showing symptoms will continue to work, either at their duty station or remotely.
Non-essential Personnel who are sick will be required to stay at home upon the onset of symptoms similar to those of Coronavirus. In an effort to remove any barrier to employees staying home to contain the spread of the virus, this time will be paid, and will not draw upon PTO hours available to the employee. Employees will return to work once they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
Essential Personnel who are sick will continue to work as needed upon the onset of symptoms, but will take the following steps to limit the spread of the virus:
Masks and gloves will be worn at all times on duty (unless working remotely) Sick personnel will maintain physical separation from other personnel and the public at all times Essential staff showing symptoms will complete only those duties deemed essential by the City Administrator. Upon completion of those essential duties, essential staff will return home and resume isolation. First responders will work to limit shifts by sick essential personnel.
Finance/Administration.
o  City Hall will be closed to the general public
o  Non-essential personnel may be required to stay home
o  Staff will work remotely to the extent possible
o  Work stations, restrooms, counters, and door handles will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution throughout the day and each evening.
o  The City will require the public to pay utility bills or other fees online or over the phone, and to complete any city-related business remotely whenever possible.
Public Works
o  Limit close contact with members of the public during your work day.
o  Vehicle handles, steering wheels, building doors, work stations, will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution each evening
Ambulance
o  Masks, gowns, goggles, and gloves will be worn on all medical calls until further notice
o  Ambulances will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution after each call
o  Ambulances transporting suspected cases of Coronavirus will remove the vehicle from service for a minimum of two hours. Upon completion of the two hour isolation time, the ambulance will be disinfected.
Police
o  Gloves will be worn on each stop or service call
o  Work stations and patrol vehicles will be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe or solution after each shift
o  Will respond only to medical calls that involve trauma or need immediate life-saving measures. In such instances, responding officers will use gloves and masks
Library
o  The Lennox Community Library is closed to the public until further notice
Parks and Recreation
o  Recreation programs will be postponed for the immediate future
o  Swimming Pool opening will be discussed in weeks prior to scheduled opening
Senior Center
o  The Lennox Senior Center will remain closed. Meal delivery will be discussed at an appropriate time with the Center for Active Generations.
Building Services
o  Inspections will be suspended.
o  Permit reviews, ordinance revisions, and other standard work will continue remotely
Public Meetings and Events Limitations
Summer Sign-Up – This event has been cancelled. An online event will be explored. Election Day – Election Day on April 14 will continue. All voters will use gloves, and will wash hands upon entering the building. City Council and Planning Commission Meetings. City Council and Planning Commission meetings will continue as scheduled. However, residents are encouraged to attend these meetings virtually through the City’s live streaming service on YouTube. Residents wishing to speak during public comment will be permitted to submit statements or comments in advance to be read on their behalf and/or distributed to the City Council. Department Heads will not be required to attend these meetings. Library Story Time – Story time will be cancelled until further notice. Non-essential employee travel will be suspended