Post Date: 04/17/2020 3:00 PM

A weekly roundup of City government news related to the coronavirus

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki today presented a weekly summary of news to provide City residents and businesses with government and community information about efforts to manage the evolving COVID-19 crisis. Essential City services are uninterrupted as most of the men and women of City government continue to either work on-site or from home to keep the government functioning as efficiently as possible in the current environment. Mayor Purzycki thanked City employees for their efforts during this difficult period.



This week’s summary includes information about COVID-19 assessment and test sites that are open or being established in Wilmington as well as common sense guidelines to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Assessment sites, staffed by Christiana Care, include the Latin American Community Center MOB site at 3rd and Harrison Streets on the City’s westside and P.S. Dupont School on 34th Street on the City’s eastside. There are assessment site flyers attached to this news release. PLEASE share them with friends and neighbors.



Mayor Purzycki said he is extremely disappointed to personally see and learn from others of City residents who are not maintaining social distancing and are not wearing face masks or nose and mouth coverings. Without data available to know how prevalent COVID-19 is in the City, the Mayor said it’s imperative that everyone take precautions to protect themselves and their families and not infect others.



Wilmington’s COVID 19 Web Page

Visit the City of Wilmington COVID 19 web page here for information from the City, state and federal governments regarding health, housing, benefits for businesses and non-profits, unemployment, and education. You can access important telephone numbers and websites and keep up with the latest news about the coronavirus.

City Employees Affected by COVID 19

Currently, there are 134 employees affected by the coronavirus, meaning they have either been tested for the virus, have been in close contact with someone such as a family member, co-worker or friend who has the virus, are exhibiting symptoms, or are in isolation or self-monitoring. Twelve employees have tested positive for COVID-19, while 57 have tested negative and two others are in self-isolation because they have been tested but do not have their results. There are 64 other employees who have no symptoms and have not been tested but are in self-isolation or self-monitoring. Once an employee has any connection to COVID 19, they are either removed from the workplace, are tested, or directed to self-isolate or are self-monitor. In consultation with the State Public Health Division , all precautions are taken to clean the workspace and keep other employees safe. Everything being done, said the Mayor, is to slow the spread of the virus.



Public Events/Gatherings are Postponed/Cancelled

To stop the spread of the virus, all public gathering events in Wilmington are cancelled through at least the end of June. The Governor’s State of Emergency already prohibits public gatherings of 10 or more people. Once health officials determine that public gatherings are safe, the City’s cancellation notice will be lifted, and public events will be rescheduled as soon as possible.



Accessing City Services

City government buildings are closed to the public, but City services as well as information are available by phone and internet. There is also a document drop off location in the lobby of Redding Government Building on French Street. Options for conducting business with City government include:

Calling 302.576.2620 for all City inquiries, except for Public Works and Licenses and Inspections

Calling 302.576.3878 for all inquiries related to Public Works

Calling 302.576.3030 for all inquiries related to Licenses and Inspections

Using a dropbox in the Redding Building lobby to make a payment for water/sewer, parking tickets, property taxes, and wage taxes

Visiting https://www.wilmingtonde.gov/residents/online-payments to make an online payment

Using the dropbox in the Redding Building lobby to deposit a completed business license application or L&I permit application, both of which are available in the lobby. A representative will contact you to process your request and arrange for you to receive the proper paperwork and to make payment if needed

Visiting www.WilmingtonDE.gov for business license applications from the Finance Department and L&I permit applications

City Services and Programs Suspended Indefinitely

sheriff sales

water disconnections for delinquencies

neighborhood street cleaning that was to begin April 1 so residents, many of whom are working from home, do not have to move their vehicles to accommodate street cleaning equipment

special trash pickups

ticketing, booting and towing except for serious infractions such as blocking fire hydrants, intersections, and driveways

parking enforcement for metered parking as well as limited-time parking in neighborhoods

the April 15 filing for net profits taxes is delayed until July 15

Delmarva Power News

The local utility is working with its customers during this difficult period. You can access the latest information from Delmarva Power here .



Finally, PLEASE share the following information about COVID 19 assessment sites in Wilmington with your friends and family. COVID 19 is here NOW and you MUST take steps to stop the spread of the virus:

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES :

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov