AKRON, Ohio — The city of Akron is preparing to start bringing some city employees back to work starting Monday, May 4.
135 people are expected to return to work, city officials announced Wednesday, leaving approximately 319 other employees on temporary emergency leave.
"The city will be implementing limited employee remobilization based on the most urgent needs and the safety of employees and the public," city officials said in a press release.
The majority of returning workers are being brought back with the following areas of focus:
- Neighborhood code enforcement
- Highway and street maintenance
- Utilities maintenance
- Billing and tax collection
- Cleaning/maintenance of city buildings, parks and property
- Small business assistance and recovery efforts
“The city is working to appropriately distance employees and provide appropriate PPE, disinfectant for workspaces, hand sanitizer, etc.,” officials announced. "Personal face coverings will be required for all employees when occupying common or public spaces in city buildings, elevators, lobbies, meeting rooms, restrooms, etc.”
Akron officials say “some workers” will continue doing their jobs remotely, but did not specify any additional details regarding that component of their plan. Officials are also reminding residents that all city buildings have “extremely limited” public access until further notice.
Keep Akron Beautiful, meanwhile, will start picking up litter on May 5 with a focus on expressways, roadsides and complaints with “modified processes to keep their employees and the public safe, while helping to keep the community clean.”
Last week, Akron announced the cancellation of downtown Lock 3 events and festivals with an expected attendance of 250 people or more through Sept. 7.
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