COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Recent Updates

City of Cedar Rapids Facility Closures Extended | July 15, 2020
The City of Cedar Rapids is extending building closures to the public through September 8, 2020. Closed facilities include City Hall, City Services Center, Cedar Rapids Water Administration, Central Fire Station, Animal Care and Control, Cedar Rapids Police Station,and NW Recreation Center. Read more…

Public-Private Partnership Supports Local Restaurants, Families | June 26, 2020
The City of Cedar Rapids, in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Community School District, is increasing food distribution to families in need while at the same time supporting local restaurants. Read more…

2020 Cedar Rapids Fire Department Fire Bowl Canceled | June 26
The Cedar Rapids Firefighters Foundation has canceled the 2020 Fire Bowl due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Fire Bowl was scheduled for August, however, COVID-19 remains a serious consideration for event organizers. Read more…

Noelridge Farmers' Market to Open July 1 | June 26
The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will open the Noelridge Farmers’ Market, on the corner of Collins Road and Council Street NE, on Wednesday, July 1 at 4:00 p.m. Read more…

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City of Cedar Rapids Information

In This Section:

City Business

The City continues to operate and maintain essential services to the public. Many services and city business can be conducted online or over the phone. View a full list of online resources.

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Building Closures

In an effort to limit public interactions and gatherings, several City of Cedar Rapids facilities will be closed to the general public effective through September 8, 2020.

This includes:

City Hall (101 1st Street SE)
City Services Center (500 15th Avenue SW)
Cedar Rapids Water Administration (1111 Shaver Road NE)
Central Fire Station (713 1st Avenue SE)
Animal Care and Control (7421 Washington View Parkway SW)
Cedar Rapids Police Station (505 1st Street SW)
NW Recreation Center (1340 11th Street NW)
Downtown Library (450 5th Avenue SE)
Ladd Library (3750 Williams Boulevar SW)

The Cedar Rapids Public Library will open by appointment only for specific services in the coming weeks. Library buildings will remain closed to the public.

City services to the public are still operational and available either online or via phone or email. Departments are making efforts to ensure minimal disruption to public services during this time. A drop-box is available outside the City Services Center front lobby doors for those dropping off permits, payment, or other paperwork that would normally be dropped off in person at the front counter. A drop-box is also available at the front of City Hall.

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Public Meetings

Non-essential in-person public meetings have been canceled until further notice. Routine City Council meetings and Board and Commission meetings are held via Zoom and streamed on the City of Cedar Rapids Facebook page.

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Utilities

Solid Waste & Recycling
The division is observing routine collection. The ½ Price Appliance Drop-off and Free Tire Disposal programs were suspended in 2020. Customers can utilize the Bulky Item Collection program to dispose of appliances and tires.

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Water

While walk-in access to the Water Administration building is temporarily suspended, the City of Cedar Rapids offers several ways to complete payments and fulfill its customer service needs:

Online Payments at www.CityofCR.com/Water
Customer Service by Phone at 319-286-5900
Drop Boxes at City Hall and Water Administration Building are still in service

The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to our water supply is low. EPA recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. According to the CDC, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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Water Pollution Control & Sewer

The Sewer division reminds customers that, apart from wastewater, only the “Three P’s” can go down the drain — toilet Paper, Poo, and Pee. “Flushable” wipes are not safe for the sewer system and — like fats, oils, and grease — can cause build up and clog pipes.

The toilet is NOT a trash can. Please do not flush:

Baby wipes
Kitchen cleaning/disinfecting wipes
Makeup removal pads
Paper towels
Tissues
Toilet brush pads
Diapers or nursing pads
Hygiene products
Personal care products

Find more information from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies at nacwa.org/toilets

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Transit Service

Beginning Monday, May 18, City of Cedar Rapids Transit service will be available on weekdays, Monday through Friday from 5:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with hourly service on all routes except for Route 5, which will run in 15 minute intervals. There will be no weekday peak service or Saturday service at this time. Read more about precautions and requirements for riders.

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Parks & Recreation

The public is reminded to follow CDC guidelines when using parks including:

Follow social distancing standards of a minimum of six feet between you and other park users.
Do not gather in groups beyond members of your own household.
Practice good personal hygiene – wash your hands regularly.
Be aware that park restrooms are currently closed and water is not turned on. Please bring hand sanitizer with you.
Please carry out any trash that is brought into the parks.
If you have been sick in the last two weeks or have a cough, fever or other flu-like symptoms, stay home for the health and safety of yourself and others.
Individuals 60 years of age and older, or those with underlying conditions, should stay at home to avoid potential exposures.
Trail users on any trail system are encouraged to maintain distance between themselves and others by signaling your presence with your voice, bell, or horn, and stepping off the trail to allow others to pass.

Facility Openings/Closures:

Bender Pool – CLOSED
City Services Center – CLOSED
Ellis, Gardner and Twin Pines Golf Courses – OPEN
Jones Golf Course – CLOSED
Northwest Recreation Center – CLOSED
Old MacDonald's Farm in Bever Park – CLOSED until further notice
Park pavilions – AVAILABLE (first-come, first-served basis)
Park restrooms – CLOSED until further notice (except in parks with Splash Pads)
Tait Cummins Sports Complex – CLOSED
Tuma Sports Complex – CLOSED until further notice
Ushers Ferry Historic Village – CLOSED
Ushers Ferry Lodge – AVAILABLE for rentals
Veterans Tennis Center – CLOSED
Noelridge Farmers' Market – OPEN

Parks & Playgrounds: Openings/Closures

Playgrounds and exercise stations – OPEN
Basketball Courts, Baseball Fields, Volleyball and Sand Volleyball Courts – OPEN
Riverside Skate Park – OPEN
Disc Golf Courses – OPEN
Tennis Courts – OPEN
Parks, trails, and dog parks – OPEN
Prairie Park Fishery – OPEN for fishing and walking

Program Changes

Find latest program information »

Municipal pools to remain closed for Summer 2020:

To protect the safety of employees and the public, the City of Cedar Rapids will not open Bever, Bender, Jones, Ellis, Cherry Hill and Noelridge Pools and Aquatic Centers this summer. The City has spent more than six weeks reviewing potential guidelines for operation and determining if accommodations could be made to safely allow public swimming. With over 160,000 pool users each summer, the potential for exposure to COVID-19 exists, even following guidelines, due to the number of surfaces at the facilities that are touched by hundreds of people each hour. In addition, social distancing within the pool and lifesaving would be problematic. Read more…

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Park CR Downtown Parking

Park Cedar Rapids has resumed normal parking practices beginning June 1, 2020. This includes both monthly parking operations and enforcement practices related to metered parking in downtown.

Cedar Rapids’ downtown parking system, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, Park Cedar Rapids, and the Downtown Parking Management Board had enacted changes to on-street enforcement practices beginning in March, to provide relief and assistance to downtown workers and businesses.

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Partnerships & Planning

The City of Cedar Rapids is working with local, state and federal partners to keep our community informed about the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

The City currently has a plan in place to keep our employees safe so that they can continue to provide essential services to our community. We also want to make sure that we provide facts and prevention tips from our partners, like Linn County Public Health and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

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Videos

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The FAQs have been moved to another page.

View COVID-19 FAQs »

Rumor Control and Trusted Sources

As we continue our efforts of promoting official, verified information, we wanted to provide residents with a list of trusted sources. While this list is certainly not exhaustive, it includes a snapshot of trusted sources in the healthcare, food, and transportation industries. Their respective social media pages are the best places to find and share information that addresses many resident concerns and rumors.

The FEMA rumor control page can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control. The purpose of the FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts . Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. We can all stop the spread of disinformation by following 3 key steps: don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along, and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts. Encourage your friends and families to do the same, and be advocates for responsible and accurate messaging during this already stressful time.

The City has been actively addressing rumors and posting factual information on City communications channels. Recent rumors about COVID-19 “at home” test kits was addressed on the City’s Facebook page (there are no FDA approved kits currently on the market).

The official City communications channels include:

Iowa State of Public Health Disaster Emergency

The Governor issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

View proclamation.

COVID-19 Coronavirus Prevention Information

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Center for Disease Control always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has provided guidance for businesses, schools, healthcare, long-term care, general public, and travelers.

It is important for Cedar Rapids residents to prepare for the potential of COVID-19 in the same way they prepare for severe weather or other events that could disrupt their normal routine.

Make a plan and discuss it with your family. What would you do if you could not go to work or school because of illness? What if your daycare provider was ill? How would you get groceries if you were ill? These are all questions to think about.
It is normal to be concerned about a new virus.

Being uncertain and anxious about COVID-19 is normal, especially with reports of illness and death.
Prevention of COVID-19 is the same as that for other respiratory illnesses (like flu).

The Center for Disease Control has the following recommendations to stop the spread of germs:

Mayor Brad Hart Facebook Live Video Transcript

City of Cedar Rapids

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Alert Detail

City of Cedar Rapids

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

On This Page:

Recent Updates

City of Cedar Rapids Information

City Business

Building Closures

Public Meetings

Utilities

Transit Service

Parks & Recreation

Park CR Downtown Parking

Partnerships & Planning

Videos

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Rumor Control and Trusted Sources

Iowa State of Public Health Disaster Emergency

COVID-19 Coronavirus Prevention Information