COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced Friday public city buildings will reopen next week now that state COVID-19 health orders have been lifted.
“As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we are basing our decisions and timelines on the latest scientific evidence and public health guidance – working on numerous fronts and in various ways to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our residents and employees,” said Ginther.
The following buildings will be open to the public on July 6:
- Columbus City Hall
- Michael B. Coleman Government Center
- Human Resources on N. Front Street
- All Columbus fire stations
- Columbus Fire Administration Bureau
- Columbus Community Centers
- Parking Services
- Columbus Public Health
- Columbus Police Headquarters
- Department of Neighborhoods
- Columbus Public Utilities
- Columbus Model Neighborhood Facility
Ginther said although places are opening back up, the city will still follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means the city recommends unvaccinated people wear face coverings, and Ginther said it's highly recommended that all visitors to city buildings continue to wear a mask to protect residents and employees who may be unvaccinated or remain vulnerable to COVID-19.
“Our best defense against the spread of COVID-19 remains the vaccine, and I encourage all residents to get vaccinated," Ginther said.
The city is taking extra precautions before opening doors to the public again for the first time since November. Ginther said they're going to continue regular cleaning and sanitizing of commons areas, make hand sanitizer accessible throughout the workplace, adjust HVAC systems to increase filtration while incorporating more fresh air and staggering shifts when possible so less employees are around each other.
More than 51% of Franklin County's population has gotten the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 48% of residents are completely vaccinated, according to state data.