Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

Fayetteville officials have implemented several precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of germs in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Through guidance from the Arkansas Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Mayor Lioneld Jordan has issued the following guidelines, effective immediately for all city staff:

• Air travel for business purposes has been suspended for all city staff. This guideline will be re-evaluated at the end of March.
• Staff business travel out of state by car will be evaluated by managers based on meeting location and group size and must be approved by the mayor’s chief of staff and the mayor.
• Staff currently out of state on business travel will self-monitor their temperature and health upon return, for a period of no less than 14 days.
• Staff are encouraged to use caution and good judgment when engaged in personal travel to or through regions with confirmed cases.
• Staff should continue practicing preventative measures as outlined by the CDC.

Staff have also been encouraged to consider virtual meetings in place of face-to-face meetings with multiple attendees. Officials are reviewing upcoming meetings and events to decide whether they should continue as scheduled for the immediate future, according to a news release.

The release states that individuals, groups and organizations currently planning to hold private events are urged to prioritize the health and safety of residents and visitors and consider postponing or rescheduling events to a later date.

From the release:

Fayetteville police and fire officials have been working with the Washington County Department of Emergency Management and Arkansas Department of Health to help prepare and educate emergency responders for emergencies such as COVID-19. Representatives from local schools, businesses, the University of Arkansas, ambulance services, regional health care facilities and emergency responders are involved in preparations for this situation as well.

For more information and updates, visit www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3883/Coronavirus-Updates.