Dusseldorf – Live Corona-Talks with the Mayor

Dusseldorf’s mayor Thomas Geisel is offering live talks online in which he and chosen speakers answer people’s questions concerning Corona. The talks are in a Q&A format and take place twice a week – Tuesdays and Fridays. Residents can send in their questions in advance or via the live chat. After the live streaming the talks can be watched on the city’s YouTube channel:

Florence – Mayor Dario Nardella: “Europe must be united“

In light of the economic damage as result of the corona pandemic, the mayor of the Italian city of Florence, Dario Nardella, calls for a united Europe. Florence has more than 1,000 positive cases of corona. “The city is very committed to helping the elderly population, to building quarantine structures and, through a €2 million fund, to help families purchasing food“, Dario Nardella says. “The situation is very difficult, which is why Europe is needed now more than ever. Europe must be united, allow member countries to resort to debt, and issue corona-bonds to have cash flows and allow all cities to start again when the crisis will be over.“ The EU member states are talking about financial aid at a video meeting of the finance ministers this Thursday.

Dario Nardella: “Europe is needed now more than ever”

Bristol – Communication

Bristol is keeping information flowing about coronavirus and the local response. Internally, this takes the shape of regular bulletins for staff, to make sure that everyone is on the same page; externally this takes the form of a free telephone hotline open seven days a week for vulnerable residents, video updates from the mayor (see them here), clear information in several languages (watch it here).

Contact: Paul Davies

Stuttgart – Keeping distance, sticking together

In a personal letter to the people of Stuttgart, mayor Fritz Kuhn calls for continued compliance with the rules and regulations under the corona confinement and thanks everyone for their special commitment. He writes: “The coronavirus has a firm grip on the world, including Germany and our Stuttgart. That’s why we must stick together in our city. ” Read more here (in German)

Contact: Claudia Schulcz

Guimaraes – Video message from the mayor

The mayor of Guimaraes, Portugal, Domingos Bragança, is using video communication to inform the 158,000 inhabitants about the city’s initiatives in the corona crisis. Those measures include the closing of schools and public buildings, parks and playgrounds. The city also supports elderly, isolated and disabled people with an exclusive telephone hotline and provides meals to children of health and security professionals.