Ward 5 CM McDuffie Coronavirus response update for Tuesday, 03-16-2020

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <kmcduffie@dccouncil.us>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 5:42 PM
Subject: Coronavirus Response Update - March 16, 2020

View this email in your browser For the latest information on the District's response to the Coronavirus pandemic, visit http://coronavirus.dc.gov. The mayor provided an update at 4pm today, which can be viewed online here. More details and updates from today are included below: All DC Bars and Restaurants Ordered to Close for Dine-in Service What to Expect from DC Government Services During the Public Health Emergency DC Schools Providing Meals Throughout the City DC Courts on Limited Operations Office of the People's Counsel to Continuing Providing Support for Utility Consumers During Health Crisis Senior Services in Ward 5 WMATA Bus and Rail Information All DC Bars and Restaurants Ordered to Close for Dine-in Service This afternoon Mayor Bowser announced that effective 10:00 PM tonight, Monday, March 16, restaurants and bars must close for on-site service. Grab-and-go/carry out and delivery orders are still permitted.  What to Expect from DC Government Services During the Public Health Emergency Street sweeping is suspended while the DC Circulator and bikeshare are operational. Trash and recycling collection will continue on a regular schedule. Get the full run-down of DC agencies and how they are continuing to work during the public health emergency.  DC Schools Providing Meals Throughout the City During the public health emergency, some District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) will be providing meals for school-age children. See below or full details on DCPS or DCPCS websites.  DC Courts on Limited Operations DC Superior Court has significantly reduced its operations, and only those matters that are urgent and crucial to public safety will go forward. The DC Court of Appeals has just posted an updated and more detailed Coronavirus operations plan. For complete information, visit: www.dccourts.gov/coronavirus. Office of the People's Counsel to Continuing Providing Support for Utility Consumers During Health Crisis In response to the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 virus and to protect District ratepayers from the spread of the virus, effective Monday March 16th @ 9:00 AM, the Office of the People's Counsel will begin serving consumers remotely. Consumers seeking to address a utility consumer complaint may do so online at www.opc-dc.gov using OPC's consumer complaint form, or by calling our office at 202-727-3071. OPC Consumer Complaint Specialists will return your call within 24 hours. Persons who are unable to file online and seek to meet with a complaint specialist in-person must do so by calling (202) 727-3071 to arrange an appointment. On March 10, People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye sent a letter to each locally operating utility to ascertain how it will adjust their consumer service and payment policies during this health crisis. OPC urged the utilities to take action to facilitate the continued provision of essential utility service during this period. Pepco has indicated it has set a moratorium on the disconnection of electric service for all customers until May 1. In addition, the company will waive late fees during this period and extend special payment terms to consumers. DC Water will also suspend water service disconnections and waive late fees for customers during this crisis. Verizon has suspended disconnections to residential and small business consumers affected by disruptions caused by the Coronavirus for 60 days. OPC will forward information regarding Washington Gas Light's policies as they are developed. Senior Services in Ward 5 Senior Wellness Centers operated by the DC Office on Aging and Community Living will be closed for regular use starting Monday, March 16 through at least April 1. Specific updates to Ward 5 senior facilities: Model Cities Wellness Center will be open for meal pick up only between 10 am and 2 pm for current participants. Green Valley community dining participants should now pick up their meals at Second New St. Paul Baptist Church, 2400 Franklin St NE.  Connector has ceased group trip transportation in the District and Edgewood Terrace suspended the Wednesday shuttle. Green Valley community dining participants should now pick up their meals at Second New St. Paul Baptist Church, 2400 Franklin St NE. Please contact Seabury Resources at 202-724-5626 for more information or visit https://www.seaburyresources.org. WMATA Bus and Rail Information WMATA asks residents to please stay off public transit if you are sick! WMATA MetroRail and will operate on a more limited schedule beginning Monday, March 16.  WMATA MetroBus will operate on a Saturday Supplemental Schedule (same as Columbus Day, President’s Day, MLK Day, and Veterans Day). For complete information on WMATA, visit https://www.wmata.com/coronavirus.