Relaunch Volusia plan moving forward

Posted On: May 12, 2020

With the coronavirus case curve flattening, cars returning to Volusia County beaches and library computers available for public use once again, county government is in the first phase of a full resumption of its programs, services and facilities. On Tuesday, the Volusia County Council got a more detailed look at what the next phases of the county’s reopening plans will look like. Also Tuesday, it was revealed that the county and cities are targeting June 1 for a coordinated reopening of county and municipal administrative complexes, city halls and other government facilities.

The county’s reopening plan, called Relaunch Volusia, is a detailed, 54-page document that provides a roadmap for a gradual, measured restoration of county services that have been scaled back to help slow the spread of the virus. The reopening plan will be implemented in three phases – Phase 1: continue to slow the spread; Phase 2: gradual return; and Phase 3: mitigation and active monitoring. The county currently is in Phase 1, where slowing the spread and access to testing are critical components.

“In addition to asking community members to minimize their movements and maintain social distancing, the community will use Phase I to increase access to diagnostic testing and monitor public health and medical system capacities,” states the report.

County services have remained ongoing throughout the pandemic, with modifications to keep employees and the public safe. For example, departments have increased online access for the public, provided appointment-based services, implemented curbside library checkout and kept its parks and trails open. The Relaunch Volusia plan, however, contains comprehensive strategies for restoring even broader public access to facilities along with detailed policies to guide the county’s various department and divisions through the reopening process.

“Everything is being done very cautiously. We have a great team here,” County Manager George Recktenwald told the County Council. “Every one of these areas, as we open up, has been well thought out.”

The benchmark for initiating phase 2 of the plan is when the number of new COVID-19 cases has significantly declined or ceased altogether, and as facility modifications allow for safer interactions and operations.  According to the report, the county will take into account the state’s guidance and the White House’s opening guidelines, which state that an area should consider reopening after a consistent 14-day decrease in the daily amount of confirmed cases. However, the county’s plan is intended to be fluid and components of one phase could move to another phase as circumstances change.

“I believe this document now will live on our web site. It will live within the organization as a guide,” said Volusia County Deputy County Manager Suzanne Konchan. “It will be adjusted as circumstances warrant, as council directives change and as the county manager and his team make decisions that are appropriate at the time.”

The county’s strategies for fully reopening county buildings and facilities include such things as providing access to COVID-19 testing for county employees and the installation of ultraviolet-C (UVC) air handler treatment systems, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass barriers in customer service areas and door pullers in restrooms. The county also plans to contract with a part-time epidemiologist or infectious disease physician to provide further guidance for the county’s employee testing program and strategies.

During Phases 1 and 2, county employees who’ve been working remotely will begin to transition back to their assigned work stations – but with some new safety rules. For instance, employees are now required to conduct wellness self-assessments at the beginning of each shift, practice social distancing, not congregate in break rooms and avoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices or other work tools and equipment when possible.

During Phase 2, County buildings such as the Thomas C. Kelley Administrative Center in DeLand, various library branches and the Historic Courthouse in DeLand should reopen, but potentially at limited capacity.  Additionally, campsites and playgrounds at county-operated parks may reopen. To help the local economy recover, the county’s Purchasing and Contracts Division will be fast-tracking projects that have positive workforce and customer impacts for Volusia County.

County facilities will return to regular operating hours and functions in Phase 3, but staff and visitors will be asked to wear facemasks. The reopening plan also comes with a warning – that once lifted, social distancing and other restrictions might have to be reinstated if another widespread coronavirus outbreak occurs.

“Acting quickly to combat the spread of COVID-19 is critical,” states the report. “At any time, the county should be prepared to implement strict social distancing and mass gathering restrictions in the event of another large-scale COVID-19 epidemic.”

County Council members were complimentary about the relaunch plan and the balance the county has struck in keeping services going in new and different ways while also implementing mitigation strategies and temporary restraints to help protect employees and the public and slow the spread of the virus.

“I believe Volusia County, we’ve served our citizens,” said council member Deb Denys. “We’ve been ahead of the curve in either constricting, restricting or opening up – almost all at the same time to serve the citizens and the demands and the needs. We’ve been ahead of it.”