City of Chester issued the following announcement.
Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland today announced the closing of Chester City Hall to personnel and the public after several employees recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Beginning November 9 until tentatively November 16, Chester City Hall will close and all staff will be required to submit a copy of a negative COVID-19 test to the City’s Municipal Health Services Director before returning to work.
During a late morning press conference in front of City Hall, Mayor Kirkland addressed the recent COVID-19 infections inside of the building. “Late last week we learned that between six and eight of our personnel were infected with COVID-19,” said Mayor Kirkland. “Our goal is to keep employees and our constituency safe. This is why the closure is necessary. During the week closure, we are asking all City Hall personnel, especially those who work inside of the building or have been inside of the building within the last week to get tested.”
Recently, Chester City Hall served as a Voter Service Center for Delaware County. Any person that visited the building within the last week should also get tested as a precautionary measure.
According to the Chester County Health Department, as of 11am on November 9, 1,046 people in Chester have tested positive for COVID-19. 41 of those cases have been fatal. “In just the last 30 days, there have been 194 new cases of the virus in Chester,” said Fire Commissioner and Emergency Management Coordinator William Rigby IV. “The message is the same as before. We have to wear a mask, wash our hands, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and touching our face, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. And most importantly, if you feel sick, stay home.”
Over the weekend City Hall was professionally cleaned. Decontamination spray, which has been used inside of the City’s public buildings since March will continue to be used on a weekly basis at City Hall, the Police Department and both fire stations.
“We all have to do better. We all have a role to play in order to stop the spread of this virus in our community,” said Mayor Kirkland. “If we all don’t become more vigilant in our efforts to stop the spread of the virus, we will have more restrictions, more infections and more fatalities.”
Everyone is reminded that in the state of Pennsylvania masks are mandatory. If you leave your home and go out into any public space you are required to wear a mask.
While the building is closed, city services provided by the streets & parks department will remain uninterrupted. However, residents should expect minor delays.
Full and part-time employees are encouraged to get tested at the following location:
Everest Urgent Care Facility
2600 West 9th Street, Unit E1
Chester, PA 19013
(484) 480-4700
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up