U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S.
Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham Statement on 2020 Census
Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19
APRIL
13, 2020
— The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are
responding every day. Over 70 million households have responded to date,
representing over 48% of all households in America. In light of the
COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020
Census operations in order to:
- Protect the health and
safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
- Implement guidance from
federal, state and local authorities.
- Ensure a complete and
accurate count of all communities.
The
Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection
activities in March. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field
offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field
data collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1.
In-person
activities, including all interaction with the public, enumeration, office
work and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance
to promote the health and safety of staff and the public. This will include
recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing
practices.
Once
2020 Census data collection is complete, the Census Bureau begins a
lengthy, thorough and scientifically rigorous process to produce the
apportionment counts, redistricting information and other statistical data
products that help guide hundreds of billions of dollars in public and
private sector spending per year.
In
order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 2020 Census, the
Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional
calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts.
Under
this plan, the Census Bureau would extend the window for field data
collection and self-response to October 31, 2020, which will allow for
apportionment counts to be delivered to the President by April 30, 2021,
and redistricting data to be delivered to the states no later than July 31,
2021.
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