City of Lincoln and Lancaster County Coronavirus (COVID-19) - City and County Services
Face Covering Requirement for Lincoln and Lancaster County
Information and frequently asked questions
City and County Services
Your Online City Hall
Before you head to the County-City Building or another local government facility to conduct business, consider using the online services.
Aging Partners
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Effective immediately:
- The Health and Fitness Center will be closed until the risk level improves.
- Foot clinics will not be offered until the risk level improves.
- Home meal and produce package delivery will continue.
- Care managers and service coordinators must limit home visits to critical situations to meet regulatory requirements or to check on clients who are possibly facing risk. Staff must use PPE, practice social distancing and should not engage in any physical contact.
- CHSP staff will continue to work itinerantly between the CHSP locations and their homes.
- Each program area should continue to assess and support work from home. Services must continue and we will still require that some staff positions continue to report to the offices. Program managers will make these decisions based on our business needs.
- Please check on your clients regularly to provide support, guidance and reassurance.
- Lifeline installations and service calls will not be completed in homes, unless the homes are vacant at the time of installation.
- Handyman jobs that can be completed outdoors will be allowed to continue. Indoor jobs will not be scheduled.
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Effective Wednesday, April 15, the Aging Partners office at 1005 "O" St. will be closed until further notice. All other Senior Centers in Lancaster County and the Fitness Center remain closed. All events and training programs are canceled until further notice.
Meal delivery continues and many services can be accessed by calling 402-441-7070.
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Sunshine Kids for Seniors Project
The Sunshine Kids for Seniors Project connects kids with home-bound seniors during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The project encourages kids to create artwork that will be shared with older adults in a safe way.
The Sunshine Kids for Seniors Project involves three simple steps:
- Children of all ages are invited to write a note or create colorful, uplifting artwork. The size of the piece should not exceed 8 1/2 by 11 inches and the kids should use their first names only.
- Notes and artwork must be scanned and emailed to sunshinekids@lincoln.ne.gov.
- Art will be downloaded, printed in color and distributed to isolated seniors with home-delivered meals and through housing facilities and other outlets.
Building and Safety
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The Building and Safety public counter is open for appointments only. Please call 402-441-7882 to request an appointment regarding Residential or Commercial Building permits. For all other business please call 402-441-7521.
All Building and Safety permits can now be applied for online. Start the process at the online application page.
Lincoln Electric System
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The LES lobby at 11th and "O" streets has permanently relocated to the Walter A. Canney Service Center located at 2620 Fairfield St. (27th & Fairfield). The LES business office is currently open for payments only; you must wear a mask and social distance to enter the building. As always, LES customers can pay online, over the phone or via mail. Customers who cannot pay their bills are urged to call LES at 402-475-4211 to make payment arrangements to prevent falling further behind.
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
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Sexual Health Clinic walk-in options are suspended. The clinic is available by appointment only on Tuesdays 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays 5 to 7 p.m. Call 402-441-8065 to schedule an appointment.
Food Handler and Food Protection Manager in-person classes are canceled. Online classes are available at foodhandlers.unl.edu. Call 402-441-6222 for information and updates.
The Dental Clinic is providing emergency and urgent dental care to relieve pain and risk of infection. Routine dental care is being provided with limited clinic capacity. Please call the Dental Clinic at 402-441-8015 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
The WIC Clinic is currently enrolling clients into the program, providing nutrition education, and issuing food benefits all via phone. If you would like to learn more about the WIC services at LLCHD, please call 402-441-6200.
Lincoln's Hazardous Waste Center has resumed operations by appointment only.
Lincoln Commission on Human Rights
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LCHR advises residents to be observant for any discriminatory responses or stigma related to the COVID-19 based on race, nation origin, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristics in our community.
Residents may report any discriminatory acts in housing, employment or public accommodation matters occurring in Lincoln to LCHR at humanrights.lincoln.ne.gov or by calling 402-441-7624.
Lincoln City Libraries
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Library patrons are limited to one two-hour visit per day.
Lincoln City Libraries has resumed regular walk-in service hours. Curbside service has ended, customers must enter the libraries to pick up reserved materials.
Patrons are encouraged to continue using online services to browse titles and reserve materials. Those who feel sick are encouraged to stay home.
All returned materials will be quarantined for 24 hours before being checked in and returned to shelves.
Interlibrary Loan requests are again being accepted. If you have Interlibrary Loan checkouts and have questions about their due dates, please contact the Interlibrary Loan office at 402-441-8537.
COVID-19 protocols include:
- Face coverings are required.
- Visits will be limited to two hours with building capacity controls in place.
- Computer sessions will be limited to two one-hour sessions per day.
- Study rooms are available for 1-2 people.
- Meeting rooms are not available.
- Seating is limited due to temporary removal of chairs to promote distancing.
- Donations of books and other materials are accepted on Saturdays only.
- All locations are reserved from 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays for use by those especially vulnerable to illness.
Park & Go
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The lobby at 1100 N Street is now open. If visiting in person, customers are asked to follow these guidelines:
- No more than 4 customers in the lobby at one time
- Please stay 6' away from other customers
- Credit card transactions only
- Please wear a face mask if possible
Customers can also pay bills and citations online, by phone, mail, or drop box. For questions or more information, call 402-441-PARK, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Parks and Recreation
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All community and recreation centers are open. Masks are required in all Parks buildings. Visit the Parks and Recreation home page to find updated schedules while the COVID-19 Risk Dial is in yellow.
Reservations are now available for rental of indoor facilities for group events and gatherings. Visit the home page for details.
Indoor youth and adult team sports programs (basketball, volleyball and indoor kickball), and other programs and classes remain suspended. Parks staff will announce changes when available.
Community learning center programs are open.
Indoor courts and outdoor wedding locations are available for reservation online. Open shelters are not available to reserve but since they are open it’s first come, first served. Enclosed shelters are not available to reserve or use at this time.
Restrooms are closed in all Lincoln parks and along trails to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Approved activities while the COVID-19 Risk Dial is in yellow: contact and limited contact sports (basketball and volleyball) with additional safeguards including masks unless actively engaged in the activity.
Activities that are temporarily restricted: limited capacity in centers; spectators to no more than 4 per participant and groups of spectators limited to 8 or less. Groups at least 6 feet of distancing from others.
Other COVID-19 precautions include:
- Avoid contact with high touch surfaces like picnic tables and benches because surfaces are not disinfected.
- Water fountains in parks and along trails are closed.
- Park users are encouraged to take their own games, water, hand sanitizer and wipes to the parks and take all trash out of the parks.
- Dogs are not allowed at the Pioneers Park Nature Center preserve. If you are not at a dog run, all dogs need to be on a leash, and owners must pick up dog waste.
- The Nature Center Prairie Building schedule has changed. The facility (north of the road and west of the parking lot) will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
- The Chet Ager Building, (south of the road in the woods) is open 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The newest building at the top of the bison viewing loop is not open to the public and only being used for education programming.
- Viewing of the bison and trails through the prairie north of the roadway will remain open daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Lincoln Municipal Golf courses remain open with limits on the numbers of players allowed in the clubhouses and one rider per golf cart. For all the changes to golf operations, visit lincolncitygolf.org.
Public Safety: 911, Lincoln Fire & Rescue and Lincoln Police Department
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Emergency Communications Center
Communication Center employees will ask callers if the patient is experiencing a fever, cough or trouble breathing. If the answer is yes, the 911 operator will tell responders that a “doorway triage” must take place.
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Lincoln Fire & Rescue
All public education outreach is now suspended.
In a doorway triage situation, LFR will respond by having one provider go to the door in a mask, gown, eye protection and gloves. If able, the patient will be asked to come outside of the building to a cot and then into the ambulance for further treatment and evaluation. If that is not possible, two responders will go into the home to evaluate the patient in the same personal protective equipment (PPE). In an emergency, all members of the arriving medical personnel will respond inside the residence in PPE to take care of the patient.
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Lincoln Police Department
To maintain social distancing recommendations, some belated or non-emergency crime reports will be handled by officers via telephone.
In a doorway triage situation, LPD employees will attempt to limit the number of staff entering a building and to ensure PPE is worn.
Due to the prolonged personal contact required, public requests for fingerprinting services are only offered on Tuesdays and Thursday between 1 and 3 p.m.
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities
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Business owners and property managers for hotels and other facilities can use these Water Quality Recommendations and this EPA Water Quality Checklist to safely flush water lines.
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StarTran asks riders to enter and exit newer buses through the rear door (buses that have the word "Lincoln" on the side). If riders need to use the lift, they can still enter through the front door.
VANLNK, StarTran's on-demand transportation service is available for individuals who need to social distance. This door-to-door service is $5 per person, per trip for regular shared-ride service. Reservations, payments and cancellations are all handled through the VANLNK app.
Paratransit services is not collecting fares at this time to meet the transportation needs of individuals who experience disability and who, because of that disability, are unable to ride the regular fixed-routed city bus. Paratransit trip scheduling can be completed in the VANLNK app or by calling 402-441-7109.
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The Wastewater Division reminds the public that fats, oils and grease should not be poured down the drain. Fats, oils and grease negatively impact your service line and the City’s system, causing backups and should be disposed of in the trash. The following items should be discarded in household trash: butter, shortening, margarine, meat trimmings, uncooked and boiled poultry skin, vegetable, canola, olive, and corn oils, salad dressings, gravy, mayonnaise, and melted meat fat.
Urban Development
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To keep the public safe and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, public meetings planned for March on the Lincoln Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan have been canceled. To view the presentation on the Plan from the February 24th pre-City Council meeting, visit lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: affordable). You can also review the Plan and provide feedback online. The public comment deadline has been extended to May 15.
Lancaster County
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Lancaster County Court Jury Trials Suspended
Administrative Order Suspending Jury Trials, Bench Trials and Motions to Suppress
The following are suspended until on or after January 4, 2021: criminal, traffic and civil jury trials; criminal, traffic and civil bench trials; small claims trials; and debtor's exams.
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Beginning Monday, June 15, all Lancaster County Offices at 555 S. 10th St. will be open for walk-in service during regular hours, except for the Assessor's Office, which is closed for remodeling. Residents are urged to continue using online services when possible.
The Lancaster County Treasurer’s Office at 625 N, 26th St. will be open for vehicle registration and license plate renewals only. Driver testing only will resume at the 500 W. O St. location. Property tax payments will be accepted at the 555 S. 10th St. location only.
