City of Monroe, LA

MAYOR ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO TEMPORARILY HALT RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS CUSTOMER WATER SERVICE DISCONNECTIONS

“To ensure our residents and business can take proper sanitation precautions, I am signing an executive order halting the disconnection of water service for our customers over the next 60 days.  As we work with local, state, and federal officials to educate the public about ways to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus – it is very important that we make sure Monroe residents and businesses have proper access to running water.  However, I want to make it clear that all water bills will have to be paid.” – Mayor Jamie Mayo

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

“I am working closely with my department heads to discuss and monitor this situation and additional safeguards as the need arises – including the possibility of postponing or cancelling certain events.  Of course, we will work with event promoters if they approach us with the desire to do so.  Earlier today, I issued a memo to all city department heads instructing them to take extra precautions to disinfect our public facilities.  We want to look out for our personnel and the members of the public who frequent our buildings.  For example, Monroe Transit will be doing daily sanitation spays and wipe downs of the busses in our public transit system.  One of our bus drivers was under the weather today, and instead of putting them or our passengers at risk, we decided it would be best for that employee to go home until they were cleared by a doctor.” – Mayor Jamie Mayo

“The number of presumptive cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to rise across the nation and we should expect to see numbers rise in Louisiana.  I spoke with Governor John Bel Edwards about it this morning.  We know this pandemic has the full attention of Governor Edwards, who on yesterday declared a public health emergency for the State of Louisiana. The City of Monroe will continue to work with public health officials and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency preparedness to remain diligent in our efforts to inform the public and minimize the spread of this disease.  We continue to encourage Monroe residents to make every effort to use proper hygiene practices and follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of the virus.” – Mayor Jamie Mayo

CDC RECOMMENED TIPS

  *   Disinfect surfaces at your home, school, church, and place of business regularly

  *   Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds)

  *   Avoid contact with people who are sick

  *   Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth prior to washing your hands

  *   If you cough or sneeze, either use tissues or your arm

  *   Stay home when sick

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

In 2001, our city, parish, region and state were among many in the nation faced with a major outbreak of St. Louis Encephalitis. This mosquito-borne disease infected about 70 people in Monroe/West Monroe and NELA.  It was something we had never had to deal with on a major scale.  However, officials at the local, state and even federal levels worked together to address the issue and minimize the impact of that dreaded disease.  In Monroe we initiated a public education and neighborhood cleanup campaign to help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds to help minimize the spread of the disease.

Executive Order (pdf)

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to
Coronavirus Disease (pdf)