A Dunkirk Department of Public Works employee who may have had COVID-19 symptoms has tested negative for the virus, according to Mayor Wilfred Rosas.

“He did test negative,” Rosas shared with the OBSERVER Friday. “We’re still taking precautionary measures with disinfecting and sanitizing the building.”

Some of the workers and all of the ones working in that employee’s vicinity chose to get tested themselves, however this was not mandated.

“These people chose to get tested,” Rosas said. “Nothing that we did was mandated. Everything that we did was precautionary on our end only. We were not mandated to do anything.”

Rosas wanted to emphasize that the DPW building and grounds can reopen at any time, it is entirely within the city’s discretion.

The man in question is still quarantining for two weeks just to be sure and may choose to be tested again.

Everything fell under fire in the city earlier this week when the employee at the DPW allegedly came to work despite doctor’s order to self-quarantine due to alleged symptoms of coronavirus. In response the city barns were shut down, leaving many to question when they’ll reopen and how.

Rosas expects the DPW will possibly reopen sometime in the coming week.