Mayor's Directive Regarding City Gatherings

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City Employees,

This morning I joined Governor Brown and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury to announce a local state of emergency and new social distancing measures, aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in greater Portland. I am writing to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to support City employees and the community we serve.

From what we are learning from the experience in other countries as well as public health experts, it is highly probable that person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 will continue to occur. To help limit transmission I have directed the implementation of preventive measures so that we can minimize the potential of spreading the virus among employees and throughout the community.

As you have read, Citywide guidance has been issued to ease teleworking restrictions and address specific situations. Effective immediately for the duration of the State of Emergency, I have directed all bureaus to implement additional measures to slow the spread of coronavirus and ensure the City continues delivering core services:

  • Postpone or cancel all non-essential work gatherings and face-to-face meetings. Convene essential meetings whenever possible by teleconference, Skype or other method. In meetings that must convene in person, implement social distancing measures to increase the distance between employees by the recommended six feet.
  • Cancel or postpone all large gatherings and events. While the Governor has recommended cancelling all indoor gatherings larger than 250 people, with the support of City Council, I ask you to limit all gatherings to a maximum of 25 people. If the recommended six feet of distance cannot be maintained due to room size, I direct you to cancel meetings under this size as well. We will be planning accordingly with City Council meetings, applying best social distancing practices. 
  • Implement staggered telework arrangements, flexible work hours, and staggered work shifts to increase the physical distance among and between employees. In addition, alter business operations/work procedures and protocols to ensure social distancing. Follow your Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) as your initial guide.
  • Stop all non-essential travel for meetings or conferences.
  • Evaluate your workplace for areas where people have frequent contact with each other - and the public - and increase the distance between workstations as well as employees and customers by six feet, if not already remedied by staggered shifts or work arrangements.
  • Discourage employees from using other employees’ phones, desks, or other work tools and equipment, or if this is not possible, ensure proper handling.
  • Encourage and support employees to stay home indefinitely if they have high risk factors, such as being 60 years or older, chronic medical conditions including immunocompromising conditions, or pregnancy.

Your bureau directors will reach out with details as they apply my direction to your day-to-day operations. Please be assured that I will continue to coordinate closely with my Council colleagues and partners at the State and Multnomah County.

Thank you for the work you do every day to serve our community. Please know that City leaders are here to support you as we come together to keep Portland safe and healthy.