COVID-19 updates

Iowa Coronavirus Website

CDC Website                          Iowa Department of Public Health Website                   Governor Reynolds Website

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Current Local Updates:

  • Burlington Police Department - November 23, 2020 

    • Burlington Police Department will be closing records department lobby to the public indefinitely. The Police Department lobby will still be open to access and you are still able to call dispatch for questions. 

  • City Council Meetings - November 23, 2020 

    • City Council Meetings will be closed to the public effective immediately in response to rising numbers in our community of COVID-19 cases. Access through the website, phone or television will be available for any citizen wanting to participate or listen/view meetings. 

  • Burlington Public Library

    • November 17, 2020- The Library is temporarily suspending in-building services in response to increased community spread of COVID-19.
    • Available Services 10am- 6pm Monday-Thursday and 10am- 4pm Friday and Saturday
      • In-building browsing by appointment
      • Computer lab use by appointment
      • Curbside Library
      • Digital Library
      • Curbside Copying, Faxing, and Scanning
      • Reference and technology support by phone, email, or social media.

Burlington City Hall,  Burlington Public Works & Burlington Waterworks will reopen to the public on Monday, June 15.  Services via phone, mail, and www.burlingtoniowa.org continue and citizens are encouraged to use those when possible. Listed below you will find a brief directory of City services:

  • Development 753-8131
  • Inspections 753-8135
  • Finance 753-8123 OR 753-8138
  • City Manager 753-8120
  • City Clerk 753-8120
  • Human Resources 753-8161 OR 753-8178
  • Public Works 753-8171
  • Street & Sewer Department 753-8119
  • Wastewater 753-8157 

In accordance with state and federal guidelines, recommendations, and protocols, the City has taken the following steps to minimize risk for visitors and staff:

  • Requiring staff to self-screen for illness before reporting for work each day
  • Providing personal protective equipment or safety shields, where appropriate
  • Establishing hygiene expectations
  • Adding hand sanitizing stations
  • Increasing frequency of cleaning
  • Posting safety guidelines at entrances
  • Encouraging social distancing

The Burlington Public Library remains closed to the public but continue curbside service.  Burlington City Council Meetings and Work Sessions are still closed to the public.

  1. State and Local Updates
  2. About COVID-19
  3. Resource Links

State Recommendations

  • November 18, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Disaster Emergency Proclamation

    • Prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 15 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 30 people.
    • Assigns restrictions on sporting and recreational gatherings.
    • Gives guidance for reopening businesses and establishments.
    • Full proclamation can be read online in its entirety.

  • November 16, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Proclamation Guidelines

  • November 10, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Proclamation

  • October 16, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Proclamation

  • October 02, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Proclamation

  • September 25, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Proclamation

  • September 18, 2020- Gov. Reynolds Updates Proclamation

  • June 10, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation to lift 50% restrictions for businesses, eases other restrictions

    • The governor announced the 50% capacity limit for Iowa businesses will be lifted at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 12. Social-distancing requirements of 6 feet for certain businesses like restaurants, bars and theaters, will stay in place.
    • Full proclamation can be read online in its entirety.
    • May 13, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation to begin to re-open establishments in Des Moines County
      • Salons, barbershops, massage and tattoo parlors, restaurants (not bars), fitness centers, libraries, and race tracks are now permitted to open with provisions starting at 5:00 AM Friday, May 15th.
      • Proclamation continues other ongoing closures and public health measures, including prohibition on social gatherings of more than 10 people. 
      • Full proclamation can be read online in its entirety.

  • April 17, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds announces Iowa schools to extend closures through end of school year

  • April 6, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation to extend State Public Health Emergency Declaration.

    • Extends retail business closures
    • Closes indoor and outdoor children’s playgrounds
    • Closes campgrounds
    • Closes race tracks and and speedway
    • Closures effective 8:00 AM April 7th through Thursday, April 30th.

  • April 2, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation to extend State Public Health Emergency Declaration. 

    • Extends school closures through April 30, 2020.
    • Extends closures of restaurants, bars and previously described businesses through April 30, 2020.
    • Extends prohibition of social gatherings of 10 or more people through April 30, 2020.
    • Continuation of ban on elective, non-essential surgeries through April 30, 2020.

  • March 31, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation to extend State Public Health Emergency Declaration.

    • Allows bars/restaurants to provide carry out or delivery sale of alcoholic beverages through April 7, 2020.

  • March 26, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration.

    • Suspends elective and non-essential medical and dental procedures
    • Extends retail business closures
    • Orders health care facilities and nursing homes to engage in advanced health care screenings
    • Removes additional legal barriers to ensure continued strong response to this disaster

  • March 22, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds signs additional proclamation to help mitigate spread further and help those affected by closures.

  • March 17, 2020 - Gov. Reynolds issues a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency. 

  • March 15, 2020 -  Governor Reynolds recommends Iowa schools close for four weeks

  • Large events and mass gatherings - Updated March 15, 2020

    • CDC recommends that for the next 8 weeks cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more

  • Community Spread confirmed in Iowa - March 14, 2020

  • Social Practices - Updated March 12, 2020

    • CDC recommends practicing social distancing, discouraging handshakes and high fives and implementing disinfection procedures 

  • Governor Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency - March 9, 2020

Local Program and Service Updates

City Council Recommendations

  • November 23, 2020- Effective Immediately, City Council Meetings will now be closed to the public and available to access through remote options only. More information can be found on our website.
  • June 15, 2020 - Burlington City Hall and Burlington Public Works  will reopen to the public.
  • June 5, 2020 - Restroom facilities to reopen in city parks.
  • June 1, 2020 - Burlington Urban Service, BUS, returned to normal hours of service.
  • June 1, 2020 - Playground equipment, and Skate Park to reopen in city parks.
  • April 7, 2020 - Mayor Billups signs update to the Emergency Proclamationthat:
    • Playground equipment, including Skate Park, is now closed for use.
    • Gatherings of 10 or more people are strongly discouraged until further notice.
    • Individuals are recommended to not leave their home or place of residence, except to conduct or participate in essential activities.
    • Solid Waste will continue to allow one extra 33 gallon (limit 40 lb) container of household waste to be collected at no additional cost to citizen.
  • March 17, 2020 - Mayor Billups signs Emergency Proclamationthat would:
    • Close Burlington City Hall, Burlington Police Department, Burlington Fire Department, Burlington Public Works, and the Burlington Sewer Plant to the public while providing remote alternatives for citizens to conduct business.
    • Close the Burlington Public Library to the public while maintaining any online services.
    • Access to the Senior Center and the Depot will be closed to the public.
    • All Park and Recreation organized activities are suspended immediately until further notice. (This would include RecPlex and Flint Hills Golf Course)
  • March 16, 2020 - City Council approves resolution recommending all events held on City property or City buildings be cancelled  or postponed with the following guidelines:
    • Events with 10 or more people be cancelled or postponed for the next 15 days or through March 31, 2020.
    • Events with 50 or more people be cancelled or postponed for the next 8 weeks or through May 10, 2020. 

City Hall

  • Effective 12:00 PM on March 17, 2020 City Hall will be closed to the public to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This comes after a proclamation from Gov. Reynolds to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people until March 31. Our staff is still available and able to help answer questions over the phone. Listed below you will find a brief directory of City Hall services:
    • Development 753-8131
    • Inspections 753-8135
    • Finance 753-8123 OR 753-8138
    • City Manager 753-8120
    • City Clerk 753-8120
    • Human Resources 753-8161 OR 753-8178
  • Rental Inspections have been postponed through April 17th as of now. All upcoming inspections have been contacted and rescheduled. Rental permits will stay effective during this time. Any questions can be sent to Matt (319-753-8142) or Ross (319-753-8172).
  • Earth Day 2020 cleanup event for April has been postponed.

Burlington Parks and Recreation

  • UPDATE: Park equipment and skate park to reopen June 1, and public restrooms to reopen June 5.
  • Perkins Indoor Shelter and Restroom will remain closed through Summer 2020 for City Day Camp to have exclusive use of these facilities to reduce exposures and comply with DHS guidelines. Perkins outdoor shelter and gazebo to remain open to use but no reservation fee required due to restrooms being closed. These areas will be first come/first serve.
  • Effective March 30, access to outdoor play equipment has been closed.
  • Flint Hills Golf Course remains open with limitations of tee time only. Contact Brad at the course to get set up at 319-752-2018.
  • Parks and trails remain open with recommendations to continue with social distancing guidelines.

Burlington Police Department

  • November 23, 2020- Burlington Police Department will be closing records department lobby to the public indefinitely. The Police Department lobby will still be open to access and you are still able to call dispatch for questions.

Burlington Public Library

  • November 17, 2020- The library is temporarily suspending in-building services. Available services are: Curbside Library, Digital Library, Curbside copying, faxing, printing and scanning, reference and technology support by phone, email and social media.
  • March 17, 2020 - The library will be closed due to new CDC recommendations. Staff will still be able to help answer phone calls, emails, and social media posts. Online library resources can be found on Facebook.
  • March 16, 2020 - All library sponsored programs, events, classes, and outreach have been postponed until further notice.

Burlington Urban Service

  • Effective March 19, 2020 the Burlington Urban Service will be ending Saturday Service for the foreseeable future. Effective March 23, 2020 the Burlington Urban Service will alter the bus routes and reduce the number of buses in service. In order to reduce the Burlington Urban Services role in spreading COVID-19, please limit rides to essential use only and schedule rides further in advance so we can help to accommodate your rides.

Solid Waste

  • Rescheduled City Wide Cleanup Dates have been announced for this fall. Visit Solid Waste’s page to view their newsletter for updates: http://www.burlingtoniowa.org/2171/Solid-Waste 
  • Beginning March 30, Burlington residents will be able to place an extra bag or container of garbage next to your city container until May 1st. An extra bag tag will not be required. For the safety of employees, please try to prevent loose refuse in containers. All bags/containers must weigh less than 40 pounds. No containers over 33 gallons allowed for the extra container to be counted towards free collection. All garbage above and beyond the extra bag/container still must have a tag attached, and only be in bags.

DESCOM Updates

  • If there is a medical emergency, fire, or eminent threat to public safety contact 911 immediately.
    • Alert the 911 telecommunicator immediately if you or anyone in your home is experiencing any flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, confusion, chest pain, or blueish lips or face.

Skip the Trip Social Distancing Resource