It appears we’re going back where we were with coronavirus restrictions.
The City of Greensboro announced on Thursday, Jan. 14 that, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 19, some city offices will be operating at reduced hours, which will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The city is encouraging people not to visit city facilities at all and instead use the city website, email, the phone and even old-fashioned snail mail to conduct city business, if at all possible.
The city’s trash and recycling collections will not be affected by this change and will continue to operate on the current schedule. The Water Resources Department, the Parks and Recreation Department and Workforce Development will continue operating on the current schedule.
The Greensboro Police Department will limit its public facilities to the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. operating hours. This includes the police headquarters building as well as substations. The Police Department itself, of course, operates 24/7 and that will not be affected.
The Greensboro Public Library branches will continue to offer computer services by appointment, during the reduced operating hours. Each branch is also offering curbside pickup for holds. The Central Library will offer Grab & Go service during the reduced hours. People are allowed to place up to 10 items on hold by using the library website or calling a branch. Items can be picked up at a neighborhood branch.
In the press release, City Manager David Parrish said, “Following the holidays, Guilford County has seen a drastic rise in COVID-19 cases and a steady climb in the positivity rate. Because of this, it is imperative we reduce our operating hours and limit exposure for both our residents and our City staff. This allows many City employees to reduce contact and helps create a safer environment. Residents will not see any change to our services during this time, and we will continue doing everything we can to keep our residents healthy and safe.”
The reduced operating hours will be in effect indefinitely.
With reduced hours, are the employees also getting reduced hours? If employees are not needed for all the hours in a day, why not reduce their hours (and pay) as well, but let them keep their full time benefits? Then again, this City Council is not interested in saving money of the tax payers. And, that suggestion comes from someone (me) who has worked in local governments in the past.
I have a suggestion, instead of reduced hours with no reduction in pay, keep them busy by ANSWERING THE PHONE CALLS.
Absolutely. Reduced hours..? Okay then…. reduced pay!
I completely agree. These are salaried employees paid by the taxpayers. If the taxpayers are not able to receive services for the full 8 hour day, then cut the pay of the employees by half. We are losing business, or even having to close our business. People are losing their jobs all over the City. Half the salary for half a days work seems only fair when the ones paying that salary are unemployed and struggling.
Hey Herr Mayor,have you considered paying the bar and restaurant owners you have put out of business.They are the ones that are grossly affected by your stupid stay home order .Why not just furlough all government employees without pay for 3 months !!! In fact the city would be better off if you and the city council would take off for the same time without pay!!!
Yeah, in the wake of people losing jobs and money, let’s punish the employees for the decisions of the city. OMG. Please. Let them draw their salaries at least so they can continue to pay their bills. Ya know, like the same ones y’all have. Maybe try to care about someone besides yourself.
I will reduce my tax payments next year for reduced work by the city employees, that is great.
So, if the public has fewer hours to do city business, that means they all have to show up at close to the same time, crowding together and giving the virus to each other. Smart!
When will people understand, there are 2 ways that Covid can be gotten rid of. Either vaccinating enough people that it can’t spread, or letting it run through enough healthy people so that it stops spreading. No amount of masking, hiding, and limiting hours will end Covid. It will just make the pandemic take longer.
I couldn’t agree with you more! Well said!