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City of East Lansing updates facilities' reopening status

July 13, 2020
<p>A sign showing that businesses are open despite recent COVID-19 outbreaks in downtown East Lansing is pictured Jun. 30, 2020.</p>

A sign showing that businesses are open despite recent COVID-19 outbreaks in downtown East Lansing is pictured Jun. 30, 2020.

Photo by Matt Schmucker | The State News

The city of East Lansing has released an updated reopening schedule for city facilities.

East Lansing Hannah Community Center, or ELHCC, and East Lansing Department of Public works, or DPW, will remain closed until further notice, according to the city of East Lansing.

East Lansing DPW can still be reached during phone hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 517-337-9459.

ELHCC was set to reopen on Monday, however, many of the facility's programs are not permitted under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's mandates, according to the statement.

Whitmer tightened regulations on masks, requiring them for indoor public spaces following a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Michigan. Willful violation of these regulations will result in a misdemeanor and possibly a fine.

"Once re-opening is permitted, East Lansing Parks, Recreation & Arts staff plan to initiate a safe, responsible and phased re-opening of the building within approximately one to three weeks," the statement said. "The East Lansing Prime Time Seniors’ Program is expected to re-open when ELHCC re-opens."

Additionally, the statement said East Lansing Public Library is tentatively set to reopen July 27, though services will be limited. Face masks will be required.

City officials reminded community members that East Lansing City Hall and East Lansing 54B District Court reopened on June 15. Visitors are required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The city is looking at multiple factors to decide when the remaining facilities will reopen and will continue to update the East Lansing community, East Lansing Communications Coordinator Mikell Frey said in an email.

"The hope is to potentially re-open the Department of Public Works by the end of the month, but leadership is looking at a number of factors that could potentially impact that re-opening," Frey said. "As soon as we have a confirmed date, we will be communicating that. As for the Hannah Community Center, the plan is to implement a phased re-opening within one to three weeks of a signed executive order that permits for recreational/fitness facilities to re-open in our area."

Editor's note: This article was updated to include a comment from East Lansing Communications Coordinator Mikell Frey.

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