Coronavirus Latest: Baltimore Trash & Recycling Will Be Picked Up Curbside; Rat Abatement, Street Sweeping Suspended Indefinitely
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore's Department of Public Works is making several changes due to the coronavirus epidemic.
According to a press release, DPW will continue to pick up trash and recycling curbside and at condominiums and corner can collections.
Disposal services at Quarantine Road Landfill and the Northwest Transfer Facility will remain operational, as well as the Citizen Drop-off Centers.
The city is suspend street and alley cleaning, property management, maritime operations, and special services (graffiti removal, rat abatement, and bulk trash pickup).
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"This action will ensure we have a reserve of staff knowledgeable and capable of performing the critical functions," DPW said in a statement.
Here are the other changes in services:
- The Quarantine Road Landfill will no longer accept cash or credit card transactions.
- The Water Billing Customer Call Center will be closed as will the Customer Walk-In Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building.
- Only emergency water maintenance issues will be addressed.
- Construction, engineering, and maintenance projects not deemed essential will be suspended.
- All recreational activities at the Liberty, Loch Raven, and Prettyboy reservoirs will be suspended. This includes hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and horseback riding.
- Prequalification for contractors/consultants will be automatically extended for three months.
- Minimal staffing will be managing utility maintenance and meter operations. Only emergency or essential functions will be handled.
- All staff capable of teleworking must telework.
DPW has put together a list of answers to frequently asked questions; click here to view it.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said corner can collection was suspended and the City Drop-off Centers suspended operations. However, DPW will still be collecting public city trash. We apologize for our error.
