WHEREAS, the City of Hammond along with the governments of the State of Indiana and the United States of America continue to implement all necessary precautionary measures to protect those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus and to prevent the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS, since my signing of Executive Order 20-03 announcing the COVID-19 Task Force as well as instituting several preventative measures, circumstances have continued to evolve and change deeming additional measures and guidance from city government, and

WHEREAS, as Mayor, I strongly recommend that our residents and those visitors to the city take the following measures and precautions seriously and implement them immediately. We continue to all personally play a part in participating in preventative measures that will prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Hammond and throughout Northwest Indiana;

WHEREAS, since my last Executive Order, the Governor of the State of Indiana has closed all casinos, restaurants, and bars in the state, which will create a financial burden on the City of Hammond; and

NOW THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of Hammond, I hereby issue the following Executive Order related to the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. The City of Hammond, in keeping with directives from the CDC and the State of Indiana, will not participate in or host gatherings or community events larger than fifty (50) people until further notice. This modifies my previous Executive Order from two hundred fifty (250) people downward. Private organizations and other groups are strongly discouraged from hosting such events until the threat of COVID-19 has passed. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are required to close to in-person patrons but may provide take-out and delivery service through March 31, 2020. The Hammond City Police are empowered to enforce Governor Holcomb’s directives as needed and consistent with any emergency powers granted through the Governor’s office.

2. All executive boards and commissions meetings are hereby cancelled for the next three (3) weeks. This Order will take effect on a rolling three week basis beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing through Monday, April 6, 2020. Prior to April 6, 2020, the City will re-evaluate these cancellations and will notify the public through a subsequent Executive Order or public notice as to whether the rolling cancellations will continue. An exception to this section shall be any boards or commissions that have to consider claims or meet to consider emergency issues so that the regular order of business of the city can continue and that vendors who perform services for the city can get paid for those services.

3. The public will be encouraged to submit any questions they have for any canceled boards and commissions through an email address that will be announced publicly so that public information can continue to be disseminated as needed.

4. All discretionary and non-essential expenditures from gaming revenue is hereby suspended until further notice. Exceptions shall be for those projects that have already been appropriated and have begun construction.

5. Upcoming deadlines for rental registration and for dog tags are being extended to June 1, 2020 and no penalties will be imposed for any person or entity registering after the usual due date until after June 1, 2020.

6. I am hereby ordering all maintenance staff in the City of Hammond to ensure that all public buildings are deep cleaned and disinfected with particular attention to all entrances and exits, handrails, doorknobs, countertops and other areas where the public may be present on at least twice a day basis. I am also encouraging all employees to ensure that their departments and areas within their departments are deep cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

7. As of today, Monday, March 16, 2020, the Civic Center, Jean Shepard Center and Pulaski Senior Center are closed until further notice. Other public buildings, including City Hall, are closed to non-essential business to protect both employees and the public from the spread of COVID-19. This does not affect those members of the public that wish to attend the few public meetings that are being held, however, I would strongly suggest watching on gohammond.tv or other remote services.

8. All employees are hereby notified that employees are expected to come to work provided they are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or believe they have been exposed to anyone that has tested positive for the virus. This directive can be pre-empted by any State of Federal order. The City’s Personnel Director working in concert with the Mayor shall determine if any employees are considered non-essential and may inform them of the ability to maximize the use of remote work and virtual meetings. Employees over the age of sixty (60) with underlying health conditions are advised to work from home and to coordinate with the Personnel Department to maximize the ability to work remotely. Any other employee under the age of sixty (60) with an underlying health condition that needs consideration for working remotely shall advise the Personnel Director who will work with the employee’s healthcare provider to determine work restrictions and/or remote work options. All employment related travel for all employees is hereby cancelled until further notice.

9. All outdoor sites of recreation will continue to be open and I would encourage members of the public to utilize them as a way to cope with the ongoing anxiety and uncertainty of these times that we are all trying to understand. Please continue to utilize the rules of social distancing during any activity that includes interaction with other members of the public.

10. Along with the City’s COVID-19 Task Force I have implemented a website for the public to keep advised and up to date on COVID-19 announcements and issues. This website is located at GoHammond.com/COVID19.

As Mayor, I want to continue to let the citizens of the City of Hammond and residents of Northwest Indiana know that city government will continue to take all possible measures to protect public health and to be a resource for information through the COVID-19 Task Force and otherwise be available during the COVID-19 outbreak.

This Order is in effect immediately upon my signature and shall remain in effect until further notice.