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COVID-19 Updates
Last updated: April 6, 2021
As a partner in promoting public health, and ensuring the safety and well-being of Whitehall residents, the City of Whitehall is continually engaging with the State of Ohio and Franklin County Public Health as the situation surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves. We have implemented appropriate adjustments to City operations, without compromising any of our core health-safety services such as police, fire and emergency medical services. Learn about the most current safety guidelines, service changes, closures and resources available to you below. If we work together, we can continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Note that regular updates are made to this page, so please check back frequently.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
- Phase 2D - Now Open: Ohioans over the age of 16 are now eligible to get the vaccine. Those ages 16-17 will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, the only vaccine authorized for use for those under the age 18. Check your eligibility here.
- Mass Vaccination Sites: The State is opening mass vaccination sites throughout Ohio. Learn more and register for an appointment here.
- Franklin County Public Health Vaccination Clinic: For those interested in receiving the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine through the clinic operated by Franklin County Public Health (FCPH), please stay tuned to the FCPH website for openings and scheduling information.
City Hall Now Reopened to the Public
Effective April 5, City Hall officially reopened to the public. Before visiting City Hall (or any City building or facility), please remember that face coverings are required of all guests. Please also consider whether you can still conduct your business with the City online or over the phone to help limit in-person visits. Note that while City Hall has reopened to the public, some staff members may continue working virtually depending on vaccination status, job duties and remote working ability.
Changes to City Operations During Temporary City Hall Closure
The City is committed to continuing services with as little disruption as possible. Here’s how you can continue your business with the City while City Hall is closed to visitors:
- Mayor's Court
- Police and Fire
- safe station
- Building permits and plan review
- Council Meetings
- Parks & Recreation
Mayor's Court
Mayor’s Court will continue in-person at City Hall on Tuesdays. Masks are mandatory for all Mayor’s Court visitors.
MANDATORY: Text (740) 791-0883 with your first and last name and the last four digits of your Social Security Number to check-in
In an effort to maintain best practices for social distancing, Mayor’s Court has now implemented a mandatory text-to-check-in feature. When you arrive for court please text your first and last name and the last four digits of your social security number to (740) 791-0883 and you will receive a confirmation back stating that you have been checked in. Should the clerk require more information, they will reply as needed. When they are ready for you in court, you will receive a text message directing you to proceed through the main entrance and directly into the courtroom. You may also text any questions you may have for the Court office. There may be some delay in responses, so we thank you for your patience.
For more information on courts in Franklin County please reference the following websites:
Police and Fire Divisions
Our police officers, firefighters and EMTs are working 24/7 to keep our community safe during this public health crisis. With contracting COVID-19 still being a high risk, residents will notice some changes to in-person interactions with police and fire personnel. This may include personnel maintaining six-feet from residents, and asking residents to step outside of their homes if possible. Please remember to practice social distancing if you encounter safety personnel and when possible, please file police reports online. File a police report online here >>
While the fire and police stations are always open to the public, we request that you limit your in-person visits as much as possible.
- File a Police Report
- Submit a Crime Tip
- Call with non-emergency police questions: (614) 237-6333
- Call with non-emergency fire questions: (614) 237-0831
Additionally, our emergency dispatchers are asking screening questions to identify if an individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Please answer the questions truthfully. No one will be denied services because of how they answer or because they may have COVID-19. The screening questions simply help our officers and EMTs know whether personal protective equipment, like face masks, are necessary.
SAFE Station
The Fire Division’s SAFE Station, serving those needing a safe, discreet pathway to drug addiction services, is still open. If you are able, please call ahead (614-572-6918) before coming to the Fire Station for screening purposes (although this is not required). Learn more >>
Building Permits and Plan Review
The Service Department, located inside City Hall, has officially reopened to the public to accept in-person building permit and plan review applications and payments. Before visiting, please consider if you can continue to conduct your business with the Service Department virtually.
- Call with questions: (847) 237-8612
- Download permit applications
- Submit permit applications and plans:
- Email your PDF applications to the Building Department
- Drop off paper applications in the City Hall Deposit Box (located next to front entrance to City Hall)
- Submit plans for review: Email your plans to the Building Department
City Council Meetings
Until announced otherwise, all City Council Voting Meetings and City Council Committee meetings will continue to take place at City Hall, but will not be physically open to the public. Both meeting types will be live-streamed to the City’s Facebook page. View a list of upcoming meetings >>
For City Council Voting Meetings, in addition to being live-streamed, you may also watch the meeting on the City’s YouTube channel. Should anyone wish to submit a written message to be read during Poll Public (conducted during Voting Meetings Only), please email Clerk of Council Julie Ogg at julie.ogg@whitehall-oh.us by 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to the meeting. The message should still follow the rules of Poll Public - available here: https://www.whitehall-oh.us/356/Poll-Public-Rules. View the agenda (once available) online here: http://www.whitehall-oh.us/AgendaCenter/City-Council-1.
Parks and Recreation Programming
Parks and Recreation has resumed plans for spring and summer programming, with COVID-19 safety protocols such as mask requirements and social distancing measures in place. Find special event details here or program information here. The Whitehall Senior Center remains closed to the public.
The City encourages anyone that may is sick, or that may have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, to voluntarily abstain from visiting our parks and recreational facilities, programs and special events.
Event and Facility Notices:
- Playgrounds:Playgrounds are currently open. Please take personal safety precautions to help keep you and your family safe. Parks & Recreation staff members will not be monitoring the park playgrounds for health compliance, which means community members are invited to use the park equipment at their own risk. Here are some ways we can help keep playgrounds safe as a community:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Sanitize your hands before and after play
- Maintain social distancing (Six foot minimum)
- Wear a mask or other face covering (Masks are not recommended for those under the age of two)
- Park Hours: 7 a.m.-dusk unless otherwise posted. Learn more about Whitehall's parks here >>
- Senior Center: Closed to all activities.
Ohio Public Health Advisory System
Franklin County is currently at a Level 3 (Red) Health Advisory for COVID-19. A Level 3 Health Advisory indicates:
- Very high exposure and spread
- That residents should limit activities as much as possible
- That all current health orders must be followed including wearing a face covering, social distancing, limiting large group gatherings to no more than 10 individuals, staying home when sick, washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.
Current Health Orders
View the most recent order here
- Statewide Mandatory Face Covering Order: All individuals (unless otherwise exempt as stated in the above Order) shall wear a face covering at all times when:
- In any indoor location that is not a residence;
- Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their family/household; or
- Waiting for, riding, driving or operating public transportation
- Congregating: Individuals must avoid gatherings in groups and attempt at all times to maintain social distancing. When gathered together, individuals should be in a group of no more than ten individuals that is separated from other groups by at least six feet. Each individual should perform a daily health assessment and stay home if you have a fever, cough or other signs of possible corona virus.
Reporting Complaints
As the Statewide Mask Order is in place, along with other continued safety guidelines, the City and Division of Police recognize that you may have questions about compliance, or may even want to report that your employer or another business is not fully following the order. Questions can be directed to the Ohio Department of Health by calling 1-833-4-ASK-ODH, and complaints can be filed with Franklin County Public Health here. Please do not call the Division of Police with these complaints, as the matter is being being handled by Franklin County Public Health.
Community Resources
We’re all in this together. The City recognizes that there are many in our community who may be immunocompromised, elderly, impoverished or otherwise unable to access food, medication and other resources during this crisis. Visit the COVID-19 Resource page for the following information:
- A form to request assistance
- Senior resources
- Student resources
- Unemployment application information
- Food banks
- A list of local restaurants carry-out/delivery options
- A list of local grocery stores, noting those that offer curbside pick-up and special senior hours