The City of Sequim’s council meetings are going “virtual.”

City officials announced on March 19 that upcoming city council meetings will be held in a “virtual online format” in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s order banning meetings of more than 50 people and social distancing of at least 6 feet for meetings of 50 or less attendees.

Inslee’s order was issued in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus public health threat.

Members of the public can listen to meetings — starting with the council’s March 23 meeting — live on the City website at www.sequimwa.gov/669/City-Council-Boards-Commission-Media.

Sequim City Council members will attend the meeting online, city officials said, while the City’s Planning Commission and other Council advisory boards and groups will only meet if necessary, using the same format.

“The public is strongly discouraged from attending meetings in person,” City of Sequim officials said this week.

There will be no in-person general public comment; those who wish to make comments to the City Council can submit the comments by email to the City Clerk Sara McMillon at smcmillon@sequimwa.gov, or in writing to: City Clerk, City of Sequim, 152 West Cedar Street, Sequim, WA 98382.

Public comment for the Public Hearings on Moratorium for Manufactured Home Parks and Interim Controls Relating to Subdivision Guarantees, must be submitted to the City Clerk by 4 p.m. Monday, March 23.

Limited seating will be provided for the meeting in the Sequim Civic Center lobby and will support the recommended social distancing, city officials said, and some future meetings may be cancelled.

The City of Sequim will resume regular format City Council meetings once the threat of COVID-19 has been contained, officials said.

For more information, email Sequim City Manager Charlie Bush at cbush@sequimwa.gov.