Coronavirus COVID 19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

In this rapidly evolving situation, residents can stay up-to-date with the latest information from the City of Cedar Rapids by following our official communications channels, including this webpage. Official City communications channels include: City of CR Facebook, City of CR Twitter, Police Twitter , Fire Twitter, City of CR Instagram: CityofCR, Police Department Facebook , Fire Department Facebook , and Parks and Recreation Facebook.

Other trusted sources in the healthcare, food, and transportation industries include: State of Iowa COVID-19, Linn County Public Health, Iowa Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FEMA, UnityPoint Health, Mercy Hospital, Iowa Department of Transportation,Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Cedar Rapids Community School District, College Community School District, and United Way of East Central Iowa.

City of Cedar Rapids Updates

Last Updated: 3-26-2020

Solid Waste & Recycling Division Suggests “Spring Cleaning” Delay | March 26, 2020
Following CDC and public health guidance, the City of Cedar Rapids Solid Waste and Recycling division has adjusted collection procedures to reduce the risk of worker exposure to coronavirus. Temporary procedures limit the need for workers to exit collection vehicles and include measures such as reduced extra garbage bag collection, restriction of recycling collection to what fits in the cart, and suspension of glass collection buckets.

The Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency location is also closed to the public, limiting the ability for residents to bring extra garbage directly to the landfill. For this reason, officials suggest waiting to dispose of extra “spring cleaning” and bulky items that can remain in storage until collection returns to normal.

Customers with extra bags of garbage can continue to utilize the extra garbage sticker program. Place bags with the sticker visible to the collection driver on top of your gray GARBY cart. If possible, limit extra garbage bags to only one bag on top your GARBY cart.

Find more information regarding current collection procedures below:

Garbage Collection

Place extra garbage bags with the garbage sticker visible to the driver on top of your gray GARBY cart.
Hold onto any extra garbage bags that don’t fit on top of your GARBY cart until the next collection period.
Tip: Use small bags rather than full-sized so more garbage fits in your GARBY cart.

Recycling Collection

Only recycling inside your blue CURBY cart will be collected. No extra recycling boxes for now.
Tip: Flatten items to fit more in.
Glass collection is suspended. Hold onto glass until collection resumes.

Yard Waste Collection

Collection of green YARDY (yard waste) carts continues.

Bulky Item & Special Haul Collection

Temporarily suspended until further notice.

The Governor expands State of Public Health Disaster Emergency | Updated March 26, 2020
Effective 10:00 p.m., March 26, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020, the following nonessential retail establishments shall be closed:

Bookstores
Clothing stores
Shoe stores
Jewelry stores
Luggage stores
Cosmetic, beauty, or perfume stores
Florists
Furniture and home furnishing stores

This closure order does not affect other retail establishments, such as discount stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies that sell these goods in addition to other essential food, medical supplies, and household goods.

Closures extending to April 7, 2020:

Restaurants and Bars: All Restaurants and Bars are hereby closed to the general public except that to the extent permitted by applicable law, and in accordance with any recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health, food and beverages may be sold if such food or beverages are promptly taken from the premises, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the food or beverage is delivered to customers off the premises.
Fitness Center: All fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers are hereby closed.
Theaters: All theaters or other performance venues at which live performances or or motion pictures are shown are hereby closed.
Casinos and Gaming Facilities: All casinos and other facilities conducting pari-mutuel wagering or gaming operations are hereby closed.
Mass Gathering: Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers. Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of this disaster.
Senior Citizen Centers and Adult Daycare Facilities: All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.

The original Proclamation is available HERE

Cedar Rapids Park Playgrounds and Outdoor Exercise Stations Closed | March 25, 2020
For the health and safety of the public, due to COVID-19, the City of Cedar Rapids is temporarily closing playgrounds and outdoor exercise stations in parks. Parks, trails and dog parks will remain open. The City asks the community to follow CDC guidelines and state recommendations pertaining to COVID-19 when using park facilities. The following are a list of recommendations:

Follow social distancing standards of a minimum of six feet between you and other park users.
Avoid areas where 10 or more people are gathered.
Do not use park amenities where social distancing cannot be followed.
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 your health and the safety of others.
Individuals 60 years of age and older, or those with underlying conditions, should stay at home to avoid potential exposures.

Cedar Rapids has over 97 parks and trails on over 4,171 acres of land. The Parks and Recreation Department urges the public to explore smaller parks that are less congested when they go out. A complete list of parks with amenities is available at www.CityofCR.com/ParksFinder.

Park CR Downtown Parking Update | March 25, 2020
Cedar Rapids’ downtown parking system has enacted changes to provide assistance to downtown workers and businesses during this time. Effective immediately:

On-street parking regulations remain in effect for safety and control purposes only, with enforcement limited to public safety concerns and situations in which violators are significantly impeding businesses or city services.
Monthly permit parking fees are waived for April.

Rumor Control and Trusted Sources | March 24, 2020
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:

Cedar Rapids Transit Update | March 23, 2020
City of Cedar Rapids Transit will suspend fixed-route transit service effective this Wednesday, March 25 as an additional measure to limit the potential spread of COVID-19. Like other recent City service and facility changes, the suspension of Transit is being done in response to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the White House, and the Iowa Department of Public Health, which caution against gatherings of people to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

“Suspending a service like transit is a difficult decision but it’s one we must make to help prevent a possible spike in the number of cases that could overwhelm medical facilities,” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. “We have been taking measures to regularly clean and completely sanitize all of our buses daily, but they are still confined spaces that fill with many people throughout the day. We are at a critical moment to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19. It’s vital that we take the actions needed to protect our community.”

Cedar Rapids Transit service will continue today and tomorrow, Monday March 23 and Tuesday March 24. After close of business on March 24 the transit service will be suspended until April 13, 2020.

Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS) at Horizons will be expanding their after-hours service to provide day-time rides to work for those with critical employment transportation needs such as work at hospitals, grocery stores, care facilities, and convenience stores/gas stations. To schedule a ride, citizens should call 319-363-1321 at least 24 hours in advance. For more information about NTS services, schedules and regulations visit www.horizonsfamily.org.

Linn County LIFTS Paratransit service will continue to provide rides to existing customers for essential services including medical trips, pharmacy, dialysis or grocery. All other persons in need of essential medical transportation can contact LIFTS at 319-892-5170 to see if rides are available. Priority will be given to seniors and persons with disabilities. Vehicle capacity will be limited to follow social distancing protocols.

NTS and LIFTS fares will be waived until further notice.

LCPH Update | March 21, 2020
Linn County Public Health Confirms Local COVID-19 Cases
Linn County Public Health (LCPH) is closely monitoring the spread of coronavirus and announced the first laboratory diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Linn County over the weekend. LCPH is reminding residents to practice social distancing which includes remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others. Pramod Dwivedi, LCPH health director explains, "People should stay home. Limiting exposure will slow the spread of the virus and prevent a sudden spike in cases that would potentially exceed the healthcare systems capacity to treat patients with or without COVID-19."

COVID-19 is circulating in Iowa communities and many more Iowans are likely to become ill in the coming weeks. This guidance describes isolation recommendations for well Iowans with potential COVID-19 exposure and Iowans who are ill with fever or respiratory symptoms (like cough or difficulty breathing).

Isolation recommendations for well Iowans with potential COVID-19 exposure:
Iowans should stay at home and isolate themselves from other people and animals in the home in the following situations. Isolation should be in place for 14 days after the last exposure.

Traveled outside of Iowa for business or vacation in the last 14 days.
Taken a cruise anywhere in the world in the last 14 days.
Traveled internationally to a country with a level 3 travel warning in the last 14 days.
Live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.

Isolation recommendations for Iowans ill with fever or respiratory symptoms (like cough or difficulty breathing)
Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house.

Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:

You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)
AND
other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

If you think you may need healthcare, call first. Your provider can assess whether you need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. Also, there may be options for you to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.

For more information on COVID-19, visit:

Iowa Coronavirus Website: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Iowa Department of Public Health website: www.idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus

City of Cedar Rapids March 24 City Council Meeting Canceled | March 18, 2020
The upcoming City of Cedar Rapids City Council meeting scheduled for March 24 has been canceled. Agenda items for the meeting will be postponed to a future date.

Water Division Update | March 17, 2020

(Revised for clarity: 3-24-2020)

Access to clean water is important to the public health of our community. The Utilities Department recognizes the particularly critical role its water supply can play in promoting proper sanitation to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Hand washing is important for preventing the spread of COVID-19. To comply with public health guidance, the Department will temporarily suspend water service termination for delinquent accounts until further notice. Late payment charges are not being applied to customers' accounts at this time. Charges for Utility services (Water, Sewer, Storm Water, and Solid Waste) continue to be billed to our customers based on daily charges and the customer’s actual Water and Sewer volumetric usage/consumption. We encourage those who are having difficulties making payments to contact our customer service team to discuss options for paying their account balance.

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.

Read more in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sewer & WPC Update | March 17, 2020
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
Feminine hygiene products
Personal care products

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

City Facilities Close to the Public | March 16, 2020
In an effort to limit public interactions and gatherings, several City of Cedar Rapids facilities will be closed to the general public effective through April 13, 2020.

This includes:

City Hall (101 1st St SE)
City Services Center (500 15th Avenue SW)
Cedar Rapids Water Administration (1111 Shaver Road NE)
Central Fire Station (713 1st Ave SE)
Animal Care and Control (900 76th Ave Dr SW)
Cedar Rapids Police Station (505 1st St SW)

Emergency services continue. 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 will be installed 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.

Utilities divisions housed within the Water Administration building are still operational and services provided — including water customer service, metering, and engineering — will be available online or via phone or email. All public meetings scheduled in the Stephen J. Cook Memorial Conference room at the Water Administration building have been canceled.

Lost or missing animals recovered by Animal Care and Control may be reclaimed by the owner; however, the owner must call ahead first. Animal adoption visits will be available by appointment only. Animal Care and Control will not be accepting the owner surrender of animals through May 15 (with the exception of owner-requested euthanasia). Animal Care and Control can be reached at 319-286-5993.

At the Cedar Rapids Police Station, the front desk will remain accessible; however, citizens are asked to call ahead, as many services can be handled over the phone. Please call 319-286-5491.

View a Full List of Online Resources

Cedar Rapids is Requesting all Cedar Rapids Bars and Restaurants Close for St. Patrick’s Day and Limit Ongoing Patron Activity | March 16, 2020
The City of Cedar Rapids is requesting all Cedar Rapids bars and restaurants close for St. Patrick’s Day to discourage citizens from congregating in large crowds. Based on health advice related to the spread of COVID-19, City officials believe allowing normal St. Patrick’s Day activity will cause a public safety hazard.

Restaurants and bars are also asked to significantly limit patron activity starting Monday March 16 as part of an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Restaurants and bars should adhere to the following guidelines:

No more than 25 people may be present at the same time
Bar seating is suspended
Standing patrons should not be served
Individual tables may not seat more than six people
Occupied tables and booths must be separated by at least six feet
Waiting patrons should not congregate in lobby/waiting areas or outside entrances
Encourage carry out and delivery food orders

The city is encouraging residents to order delivery, carry out food, or use drive thru services in order to avoid crowds dining in at restaurants.

Parks and Recreation Facilities Closed and Programs Canceled | March 15, 2020
The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will cancel all recreation programs and close facilities, excluding Gardner Golf Course and administrative offices, beginning Monday, March 16. Facilities closed include Bender Pool, Northwest Recreation Center, Tait Cummins Sports Complex, and Tuma Sports Complex. Program cancellations include youth spring break camps and programs, open swim and water exercise, open gym at Northwest Recreation Center, and the Capitol City Open. Closures are consistent with the request by City of Cedar Rapids Officials for residents to practice social distancing.

Social distancing measures are taken to restrict when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. Cedar Rapids residents, especially senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions, are asked to think carefully about attending events and large gatherings.

Non-Essential Meetings Canceled | March 13, 2020
The City of Cedar Rapids is canceling all non-essential public meetings until March 31, 2020. This includes any gatherings or meetings that do not require time-sensitive action. Examples of non-essential meetings include public open houses for future construction projects, public events such as Fire’s Adult Resource Expo, and City commission or committee meetings without critical/time-sensitive agenda items. Residents can visit the City’s events calendar for updated meeting schedules.

The City Council meeting scheduled for March 24 has been cancelled. Items on the agenda will be postponed to a later date.

These measures are being implemented for the safety of all Cedar Rapids residents and employees. City officials will continue to monitor the situation, working with local public health officials, and will modify these guidelines as the situation warrants.

City Officials Encourage Social Distancing | March 13, 2020
City of Cedar Rapids Officials are encouraging residents to closely monitor current reports related to COVID-19 and to make responsible, personal decisions to avoid becoming ill or spreading illness to others. One important practice recommended by the World Health Organization includes personal “social distancing” to slow the transmission of COVID-19.

Social distancing measures are taken to restrict when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. Social distancing measures can include limiting large groups of people coming together, including canceling events. Many local and regional educational institutions, special events, and businesses are announcing efforts to encourage social distancing and advise patrons on staying home when they are ill.

“We’re encouraging all Cedar Rapids residents, especially our senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions, to think carefully about attending events and large gatherings,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart.

“The safety and well-being of residents is our top priority,” said Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. “I encourage residents to make good decisions to help prevent spread of the virus in our community.”

Based on current information, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Linn County. Local officials continue to work with public health officials and local healthcare providers and will inform the public as conditions evolve.

Partnerships and 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.

Protect Yourself

Wash hands
Hand sanitizer
Avoid touching face
Avoid close contact with others that are sick
Social distancing: Put distance between yourself and others. No less than 6 feet.

Protect Others

Stay home when sick
Cover coughs and sneezes – elbow or tissue
- Wash hands after or use hand sanitizer
Wear facemask if sick – when around others, before seeking treatment/doctor, or if caring for sick person
- No facemask if not sick
Clean and disinfect
- Frequently touched surfaces
- Clean before disinfecting – bleach solution, alcohol, or common disinfectants according to label

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 in other countries.
It is important to understand the risk of influenza is much higher than the risk of COVID-19 in Iowa right now.
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:

Additional information about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from Iowa Department of Public Health:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if I'm worried I can't pay my water bill?

A: The Utilities Department is sensitive to the challenges our customers face. Service disconnections due to account delinquency are suspended at this time. Also, late payment charges are not being applied to customers' accounts at this time. Charges for Utility services (Water, Sewer, Storm Water, and Solid Waste) continue to be billed to our customers based on daily charges and the customer’s actual Water and Sewer volumetric usage/consumption. We encourage customers to contact our customer service department to make payment arrangements and discuss options for paying their account balance.

Q: Is drinking tap water safe?

A: The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to our water supply is low. The City continuously monitors the performance of its drinking water disinfection process, which meets virus removal/inactivation regulations and is expected to be effective for coronavirus control. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 is mainly thought to spread between people who are in close contact with one another.

Q: Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?

A: 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.

Q. Where can I get factual information about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and specific information about Linn County and Iowa?

A. We recommend visiting the Linn County Public Health website or calling 319-892-6000 for specific information about Linn County, including Cedar Rapids. For statewide information, please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website. The state is also providing information to citizens by calling 211. Public health experts are the best source of information about this global outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).

Q. What is the City of Cedar Rapids doing to prepare if the coronavirus affects our area?

A. The City of Cedar Rapids has developed partnerships with local, state and federal partners to keep City employees and citizens informed. City employees have been informed about best practices for reducing the spread of illness in the workplace. The City has also developed emergency operations and continuity of operations plans in the event that the Coronavirus risk increases in Iowa so that essential services can continue to be delivered to our citizens.

The City’s Joint Communications Center has initiated a call screening process that follows Center for Disease Control recommendations so that dispatchers can communicate concerns of signs and symptoms and risk factors for Coronavirus immediately with first responders’ arrival at the scene to assure use of appropriate personal protective equipment for the first responders.

Q. Is our drinking water still safe if there is an outbreak of the Coronavirus in our area?

A. Yes, the City continuously monitors the performance of its drinking water disinfection processes. Based on published research, the City's water treatment process meets virus removal/inactivation regulations and is expected to be effective for coronaviruses control.

Q. Is it true the Water division is running low on masks and bleach?

A. This information is NOT true. The Cedar Rapids Water division is fully outfitted with needed personal protective equipment, including full-face respirators used during chemical process handling. Surgical face masks are not typically used during water treatment operations. Soap and water continues to be an effective way to clean hands and work areas. These supplies remain available. The City’s water supply remains safe for consumption and hand washing. Our treatment process undergoes several redundant phases of virus removal and inactivation. All functions continue to operate without issue.

Q. Why are leaf vacuum trucks running during the COVID-19 outbreak?

A. Operating loose leaf vacuum trucks keeps leaves out the street, reducing the number of leaves swept into the storm sewer and the likelihood of street flooding due to plugged drains. The program helps improve water quality in our streams and river. When large numbers of leaves enter the storm sewer, the nutrients from decaying leaves overwhelm and choke out aquatic life. Leaf vacuum collection also assists in debris removal from streets, ensuring safe passage for vehicles/motorcycles and bicycles.

Q. Where can I get specific recommendations from public health experts for my business, daycare, school, healthcare facility, or long-term care facility?

A. The Iowa Department of Public Health website has fact sheets and guidance avaialble for businesses, daycares, schools, healthcare facilities, and long-term care facilities.

Q. Where can the general public get additional fact sheets or find answers to frequently asked questions about the Novel Coronavirus?

A. The Iowa Department of Public Health website has a fact sheet and FAQs available that are the most accurate, timely and informative.

Additional FAQs will be added as necessary. Remember, 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.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
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.

Mayor Brad Hart Facebook Live Video Transcript

City of Cedar Rapids