COVID-19 Information

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​City Operations & Services  | Council, Board & Commission Meetings  |  Parks & Recreation Operations  |  Courts Information   |  Statewide/National Updates  |  COVID-19 Test Information  |  Follow for Updates ​ |  Resources  |  Assis​tance  |  Messages from the Mayor  |  City of Ann Arbor Social Media Feeds​​​​​

​​​​(Updated: ​March 21​​​, 2022​)

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This page features city-specific ​information and recommendations as they become available, as well as information from Washtenaw County Health Department​​, Washtenaw Co​unty Community and Economic Development​, ​State of Michigan​, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control​, ​ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other community organizations.  ​​​​​​​​

Please visit the State of Michigan COVID-19 website​ for the most up-to-date information on state executive orders.

The State of Michigan offers a free COVID Alert tracking app for mobile phones, which can help to notify users and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. 

In addition, ​​this Washtenaw County Health Department webpage features COVID-19 vaccine information, ​resources and updates: https://www.washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-19-Vaccination​. 

Please Remember these Safety Protocols: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

• You/others may feel more comfortable keeping a physical distance 6 feet apart from those outside your household and wearing a face covering over nose and mouth when in enclosed spaces. Please be patient with and respectful of how others choose to protect their/their family health and wellbeing.
  

• Stay home when you are sick.​
  

• In addition, Washtenaw County Health Department notes the flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone 6 months and older, adding it is especially important amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at https://www.washtenaw.org/1885/Flu-Activity​.
  

City of Ann Arbor Operations an​d Servic​​es

The ​​​​City of Ann Arbor is actively collaborating with the Washtenaw County Health De​partme​nt​​, local hospitals, the University of Michigan​, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, the Red Cross and other agencies for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The public is encouraged to take advantage of the city's online services when possible, including payments for ​water bills, property taxes, parking tickets,  applications for dog licenses, permits, etc. See the "services" webpage​ for details and also the "contact" webpage​ for how to reach city departments​. 

Council, Board and Committee Meetings​

While some public meetings are transitioning to a hybrid meeting model, the City of Ann Arbor encourages the public to view and participate in public meetings remotely, as available, to avoid potential of COVID-19 transmission/exposure. In order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, protect the health of meeting attendees, minimize the possibility of disrupting the meeting, and thereby promote public participation by creating a safer meeting environment, City Council has established a regul​ation that all in-person attendees at meetings are required to wear a mask. See the mask requirement signage that is posted throughout Larcom City Hall. The City of Ann Arbor has existing COVID-19 safety rules that are required of visitors entering city facilities. If you choose to attend a meeting in-person, the following safety rules are expected to be observed. These include (updated March 8, 2022) -​  

• Masks - While masks are not currently required upon entry to Larcom City Hall, City Council, board and commission meetings continue to require in-person meeting participants to wear masks covering nose and mouth.​​ Masks are available a​t the guest services desk in the lobby of Larcom City Hall.

• Physical Distancing - Individuals should maintain a distance from one another of at least 6 feet.

• Illness - Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, who has symptoms of COVID-19, or has had recent close contact with someone with COVID-19, should not attend a public meeting.
  

Courts I​nformation​​

(Updated March 8, 2022) Fifteenth District Court employees and those who visit court facilities are required to continue to wear a mask in common and shared spaces until further notice.​​

• Trial Court: www.washtenaw.org/991​. 

• 14A District Court: www.washtenaw.org/946​. 

• 14B District Court: ytown.org/14b-court​. 

• ​15th District Court: www.15thdistrictct.org​.​ ​

Local/​County/Statewide/National Upd​ates

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ​​COVID-19 website. ​​​
  

• Michigan Department of Health and Huma​n Service​s Epidemic Orders​​.​​
  

• State of Michigan COVID-19 website​.  ​​​​​
  

• State of Michigan Executive O​rders.
  

• State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline: 888.535.6136, open seven days a week 8 a.​m.-5 p.m.​​
  

• Washtenaw County COVID-19 Testing Information.

• Washtenaw County Health Department COVID-19 website​.​​​
  

• Washtenaw County Health Department 2020 Annual Report​: Highlighting the initial phases of COVID-19 pandemic response January-December 2020.
  

Follow for U​pdates

• ​City of Ann Arbor  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  NextDoor  |  e-Subscribe​

• Washtenaw County Health Department  Facebook  |  Twitter ​​​​
  

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Resources​​

• ​How to be Prepared for Coronavirus fact s​heet.
  

• CDC flu FAQs.
  

• COVID-19 map.​
  

• ​State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline: 888.535.6136, open seven days a week 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  

• University of Michigan Health Blogs (Michigan Health and Michigan Health Lab):  10 Expert COVID-19 Tips to Follow in 2021​​  |  COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts​​  |  ​​​12 Things Science Taught Us About COVID-19 This Past Year​​. 

Assista​​n​ce​

FEMA: Financial assistance is available from FEMA for COVID-19-related funeral expenses​ incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.  Also, find information online on other assistance offered by FEMA.​

Michigan COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide​: Unemployment and worker assistance; food assistance; uti​lity and housing assistance; child care assistance; general assistance; Detroit assistance programs; find local resources; give back. ​

Michigan State Housing Development Authority COVID Emergency Rental Assistance [CERA] Program Resources:​ Having trouble paying or receiving rent? MSHDA has federal funds available to help tenants facing pandemic-related hardships avoid eviction while als​o ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent through the CERA program. MSHDA administers CERA through its statewide network of local nonprofit agencies. Anyone who is eligible is encouraged to apply today and take advantage of a program that can help restore housing stability. CERA serves renter households that have incomes less than 80% of area median income (AMI) who meet the following conditions:

• Individual(s) in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or has experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the coronavirus outbreak; and
  

• Individual(s) in the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability evidenced by a past due utility or rent notice.​
  

• Also note, default of either a rent-to-own lease or a land contract can result in an eviction, but a rent-to-own lease is eligible for CERA benefits, while a land contract is not. Learn more​. ​
  

​If tenants have questions or require assistance, they can contact a local resource for help, the Housing Authority of Washtenaw County, at 734.961.1999.

Paper applications: For those that do not have access to internet to access the online application, they can use the paper application and send documents to [email protected] OR mail to Housing Access for Washtenaw County, 100 Arbana Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Paper applications are also available in English, Spanish and Arabic​.

Washtenaw County​ roundup of essential services​: A variety of services is featured on the county website, including child care, evictions, health insurance, ​internet, medical, transportation, unemployment, utilities, food distribution and more.

Water Utility: City of Ann Arbor Response to State of Michigan Executive Order 2020-28, Water Utility S​​hut Offs​ (PDF).​​

​Get Assis​​ta​nce​​

• Barrier Busters (Washtenaw County): Connect with resources via Barrier Busters for rent, mortgage and utility assistance, transportation, food assistance, and other direct support needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic -English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF). 
  

• COVID-19 Relief Fund, United Way of Washtenaw C​ounty, was established to ensure people and families in need can access food, housing, health care, financial resources and other supports.​ This fund allows the United Way to rapidly deploy resources to organizations working with populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial focus will be on rapid response in support of front-line agencies providing services to the most vulnerable populations.
  

• Critical bed need (sleeping on the floor or newly housed and no bed) : Contact Friends in Deed. FID will attempt to resolve the situation. The Furniture Line can be reached at 734.484.7607.
  

• Food assistance:Food Gatherers​ works with more than 150 partner programs throughout Washtenaw County. Many of these programs are open to the public and make food available to eligible community members.​

• Food assistance: For Ann Arbor Public Sc​hools students.​​
  

  

• Food assistance: SOS Communit​y Services food pantry is available without appointment, located at 114 N. River St., Ypsilanti. Everyone who needs food is eligible. People are asked to maintain 6 feet of distance from others when collecting their groceries.​​
  

• For parents:  SOS’Community Services Parents as Teachers program conducts virtual home visits and makes porch drops of food and diapers.
  

• Homelessness and housing insecurity:

  • U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): www.hud.gov/coronavirus.
    

  • National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH): endhomelessness.org​​

  • ​National Low-income Housing Coalition (NLIHC): nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness 
    

  • U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, including webinars and community examples: https://www.usich.gov/covid-19

  • Corporation for Supportive Housing explains what supportive housing providers need to know.
    

• Housing: Via Ann Arbor Housing Commission. Residents living at an Ann Arbor Housing Commission property or using one of AAHC's vouchers, who have lost income, can contact their case manager as soon as possible for assistance. A message can also be left with AAHC's office at 734.794.6720.
  

• Housing: Via Housing Access of Washtenaw County at 734.961.1999.
  

• Housing, at risk of eviction: Housing Access of Washtenaw County (734.961.1999 - have ready driver's license/state ID, social security card, proof of income, recent bank statement, proof of what's been paid and what is still owed).; and Michigan Legal Help (https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ | 734.665.6181) can assist with people at risk of being evicted. See the flyer for details: in English (PDF) | in Arabic (PDF) | in Spanish (PDF)

• Housing, rent and utility payment concerns: Via Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid Michigan, Michigan Legal Help. ​
  

• Housing, tena​nt rights: Via Legal Services of South Central Michigan. (PDF)
  

• Internet: From Comcast Cable, "In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please be advised that Comcast has increased the speeds of its Internet Essentials home internet service​ from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps. Additionally, households who enroll now will be eligible for 60 days of complimentary service. As a reminder, Internet Essentials provides $9.95 per month home internet service exclusively to low-income households."​

• Internet: Free access to Spectrum Br​oadband​ and wi-fi For 60 days for new K-12 and college student households, and more.​
  

• Internet: Via a Washtenaw County-compiled list. 
  

• Public health: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) ​​hotline has public health and other experts available to answer health-related questions about COVID-19. The team can also direct residents, providers and more to the right resour​ces ​in their local communities and in other state government departments. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1.888.535.6136.​​​
  

• Small-business assistance: Michigan E​conomic Development Corporation, or call 888.522.0103.

• Small-business resources: Michigan Small Business Development Center. ​
  

• ​Services: 2-1-1 for a 24/7 hotline that can connect you to services in the Washtenaw County community.​

• Social support: Via Community Mental Health, 24/7 crisis services and mor​e. 

• Social support: Via Ozone House crisis line,  available 24/7 for youth in need of support or who are at risk of homelessness​.

• Social support: Via You Are Not Alone, resources​​ and video for students dealing with depression, grief, loss and other mental health issues.​

• ​​​Support for families and students: Via Ann Arbor Public Schools website. 
  

• Utilities: Via City of Ann Arbor. The city is able to postpone payments on utilities for those who are unable to pay as a result of COVID-19.  Please call customer service at 734.794.6320 to request a payment delay on your account. 
  

• ​Utilit​ies​: Assistance with paying for utilities, via Barrier Busters​​. 
  

Give Assistanc​​​e​