Masks required as Brookhaven City Hall reopens to the public

Photo courtesy of Brookhaven

Photo courtesy of Brookhaven

Brookhaven City Hall reopened to the public Monday for the first time in over two months.

Visitors and staff members are required to wear face masks when at City Hall, according to a new ordinance passed by the City Council.

If a resident coming to City Hall does not have a mask, one will be provided for them, the city said in a statement.

“Wearing a face covering in public places is more than a good preventive measure for personal safety, it is also a best business practice to foster public confidence and restore the local economy,” Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst said in a statement.

The building closed March 14, when a government employee tested positive for COVID-19 and forced many city staff members into a mandatory 14-day isolation.

Brookhaven city workers returned to the office last Tuesday. Employees will split shifts to reduce the number of people inside at one time, officials said. They will also be required to use personal protective equipment like face coverings, hand sanitizer and gloves.

New plexiglass windows were installed at the permit counter and reception area, and markings were added to the lobby area to space out visitors.

Brookhaven plans to gradually reopen its recreational facilities, beginning with its "passive" athletic fields and dog parks, which opened Monday. A detailed plan and list is available on the city's website.

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