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Update, May 5: The city of Gainesville plans to reopen some of its offices on May 18.

Hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at its administration building, the historic City Hall building and the Community and Economic Development building off the downtown square, as well as the Public Safety Complex at 701 Queen City Parkway.

In speaking to Gainesville City Council Thursday, May 5, City Manager Bryan Lackey called the move a “soft reopening” as just the front doors of those buildings will be open for at least two weeks.

“We’re hoping for June 1 as entering phase two (of reopening),” Lackey said. “That’s still really flexible, based on where we are in the community with our COVID-19 numbers.”

The city will limit the hours it will be open after May 18 “because we’re going to be very minimally staffed,” he said.

Also, it will give employees time to get ready for the day and close out the day, Lackey said.

Upon closing at 4, city employees will “clean our high-touch public areas … and get ready for the next day,” he said.

All essential city services, including police, fire, water, sanitary sewer and trash pickup, have been continuing as usual. 

On the city website, people can make payments and find contact information for city departments.

In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, all city of Gainesville administrative offices, fire stations, the public safety complex, parks and recreation buildings and the Gainesville-Hall County Senior Life Center will be closed to the public indefinitely. 

All essential city services, including police, fire, water, sanitary sewer and trash pickup, will continue as usual. 

On the city website, people can make payments and find contact information for city departments. 

Compiled from city of Gainesville press release.