April 17, 2020

On April 13th, the Census Bureau announced a 3-month delay in census operations and a request to Congress to delay its 2 statutory reporting deadlines.

Field operations will be suspended until June 1. However, steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices to resume data collection operations as quickly as possible.

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. (See also: Census Bureau Revised Schedule and Leadership Conference statement). 

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.