MT. VERNON — The City of Mt. Vernon has announced that all city buildings will be closed to the public beginning Monday, Oct. 26 as a precaution. The move is due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and a change in CDC guidelines for contact tracing.

All city employees will still report to work and be available via telephone and email to assist the public.

In an email to city employees, City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel advised that employees avoid gathering in common areas, limit interoffice in person meetings, practice social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing. New CDC guidelines released October 21st include a change in contact tracing regulations that require quarantine for anyone in close contact of someone who tests positive for a cumulative 15 minutes in a 24-hour period. Prior guidelines were for 15 consecutive minutes.

“We are trying to be proactive in keeping our employees safe and working,” Bechtel said. “Several departments have closer contact with one another, so if one person contracts COVID, it could potential put an entire office on quarantine and unable to serve the citizens. We want to reiterate that this is precautionary. Public meetings will be held electronically with that information on how to view the meetings posted on our website and social media. All departments are open,” said Bechtel.

City buildings include City Hall, Rolland Lewis Community Building, Public Works, Mt. Vernon Municipal West, three fire stations and one police station.