MOUNT
PLEASANT, S.C. (March 24, 2020) - The U.S. Census Bureau is carefully
monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and will follow the guidance
of federal, state and local health authorities. The Census
Bureau’s preparation and contingency planning centers on two key principles:
The health and safety of staff and the public is of the utmost consideration
and importance. The Census Bureau must fulfill its constitutional obligation to
deliver the 2020 Census counts to the President of the United States on
schedule, and it must adhere to its core task of counting everyone once, only
once, and in the right place.
The key message right now for anyone with questions about how COVID-19 will affect the 2020 Census: It has never been easier to respond on your own,
whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a census
taker.
From
March 12-20, households received the first of several invitations to
participate in the 2020 Census.
The
Census Bureau is encouraging everyone to respond online as soon as they receive
their invitation with the provided instructions to go online. Instructions
include the web address for the online questionnaire in English as well as
where to respond online in 12 additional languages.
The
invitation will also include phone numbers for English and the 12 additional
languages, ensuring over 99% of U.S. households can respond over the phone in
their preferred language. Telephone assistance is available seven days a
week from 7 am to 2 am EDT for those who prefer to respond by phone.