Akron.com

April 1, 2020, updates/cancellations/closures


Summit County Public Health offers additional guidance on mass gatherings

SUMMIT COUNTY — As the number of COVID-19 cases identified in Summit County increases, Summit County Health Commissioner Donna Skoda is providing additional guidance on public gatherings.

Summit County Public Health is asking that, as a result of COVID-19, funeral homes and religious entities restrict and limit certain gatherings including funerals, burials, weddings, shivas, church services, and other religious ceremonies. Canceling or postponing large gatherings is a prudent public health measure to prevent spread of the virus. When it is necessary to have religious and cultural rituals related to funerals or weddings, they should be limited to no more than 10 immediate family members and practice social distancing. Members of the same household may be closer than 6 feet for necessary gatherings, but all other persons must maintain social distancing. Summit County Public Health cannot close or limit religious centers and gatherings at this time but is asking for voluntary compliance from our religious community.

During this period of social distancing, physically being with family and friends may be difficult or not possible, so remaining in close contact by phone, text, FaceTime and other means of technology is more acceptable and appropriate.

Summit County Public Health Commissioner wants everyone to take an aggressive approach on social distancing. “We need everyone to take responsibility and help slow the curve,” Skoda stated.

It is important to continue to follow standard precautions to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

• Practice social distancing; maintain 6 feet of distance from others.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.

• Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset or three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

The situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and guidance is continually evolving, for more information about the coronavirus situation in Summit County visit www.scph.org/covid-19. If you have questions, call the COVID-19 Call Line (330) 926-5795. The call line is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Akron Municipal Court outlines plan for April and May operations

DOWNTOWN AKRON – In an order issued Monday, March 30, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor advised the state’s judges that all-time limitations and deadlines in court rules concerning filings, appeals and other matters are suspended through July 30 or the expiration of the health emergency. As the threat of COVID-19 continues to develop both statewide and nationwide, Akron Municipal Court Administrative/Presiding Judge Nicole Walker has updated several procedures effective April 1, 2020 through the end of May 2020. The following matters will be rescheduled for a date on or after June 1, 2020:

· All Jury Trials (civil and criminal) scheduled for May and April are continued. Each Court will contact the parties to reschedule.
· All traffic matters including trials and walk-in hours for May and April. The Court will contact the parties to reschedule. Instructions for paying parking tickets, etc. can be found on our website: www.akronmunicipalcourt.org.
· All criminal proceedings (bench trials, suppression hearings, restitution hearings, etc.) will be continued. Each Court will contact the parties to reschedule.
· All probationers who are scheduled to report during the month April and May should contact their Probation Officer before reporting in-person. The Probation Department will implement telephone meetings instead of in-person meetings for April and May with most probationers.
· Inmates will not be transported from the Summit County Jail to our courthouse for April and May. All matters will be conducted via video in the Arraignment courtroom on the 7th floor of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center.
· Those who received a felony summons should contact the Arraignment Court Bailiff or the Clerk – Criminal Division at (330) 375-2120 before reporting to court. A form for “Waiver of Personal Appearance at Arraignment Due to Emergency” can also be made available to you.
· All specialty court dockets are continued for April and May. Please contact those courtrooms directly for more information on scheduling plans.
· All eviction hearings are continued for April and May. The Court will contact the parties with new dates.
· All other cases (garnishments, revivors, small claims) are continued for April and May. The Court will contact the parties to reschedule.
· The Court will not schedule any new weddings to take place at the courthouse for April and May.
· All civil cases will be conducted by telephone conference or continued. Each Court will contact the parties with instructions.
· All new civil filings should be sent to the Clerk of Court via mail. Please call the Clerk of Court for information at (330) 375-2920.

We will restrict the number of people permitted to enter the courthouse and conduct temperature checks in order to keep everyone in our community safe. Children and those in higher risk groups should not enter the building.

At the present time, we have limited videoconferencing capabilities available. The Court is working to expand those capabilities as soon as possible. Please call the Court with questions using the following telephone numbers:

1) Small Claims/Eviction Cases – (330) 375-2285
2) Civil/Clerk/Traffic Cases – (330) 375-2120
3) Judges’ Courtrooms – (330) 375-2120 or (330) 375-2592

 

Cleveland Metroparks implements new measures to encourage social distancing

NORTHEAST OHIO — Cleveland Metroparks is taking additional steps across the Park District to encourage social distancing and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Beginning today, Cleveland Metroparks will be closing several roads to motorists to provide park users with more space for bicycling, running and hiking.

“Cleveland Metroparks has experienced a surge of park visitors over the past several weeks,” said Brian M. Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO. “We want to keep our parks open and be of service to the community during this difficult time but we need everyone to follow proper social distancing. These additional steps will effectively turn some of our roads into 20-foot-wide trails to encourage people to spread out and provide proper distance between other park users.”

Beginning today, the following roadways will be closed to motorists to allow for use by pedestrians and bicyclists:

Brecksville Reservation:
Meadows Drive will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists) between Chippewa Creek Drive and Valley Parkway

Rocky River Reservation:
Valley Parkway will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists) from Spafford Road to Berea Falls
Hogsback Lane will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists)
Rockcliffe Drive will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists)

South Chagrin Reservation:
Hawthorn Parkway will be closed to motorists (open to pedestrians/bicyclists) between Route 91 and Arbor Lane

In addition, several outdoor areas and amenities where space is limited will be closed for the immediate future including:
Edgewater Pier
Euclid Beach Pier
Fort Hill Stairs
Squire’s Castle

Restrictions to picnic areas
Several parking lots will also have restrictions to help mitigate crowds in high traffic areas. Guests visiting the parks should anticipate impacts. Updated major closures are available at clevelandmetroparks.com.

“While some of these measures will temporarily impact the park experience, our number one priority is to provide the community with a place where they can enjoy Cleveland Metroparks in a safe manner,” said Zimmerman.

Cleveland Metroparks and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s upcoming programs and events remain canceled. For all information on impacts visit: clevelandmetroparks.com/COVID-19.