The Newton County Board of Supervisors declared a civil emergency and has taken measures in county offices to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Board attorney Jason Mangum said the county has limited access to the courthouse to just one entrance to allow the essential offices within the courthouse to be visited. Some offices are using an exterior window to do business instead of allowing citizens to come inside.
Mangum said all of the guidelines being followed are the recommended by the CDC and the state department of health.
“It feels like March has been the longest year we’ve had,” Mangum said.
Newton County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Richardson said they have tried to limit the number of people in a certain area of public buildings, such as the courthouse.
In particular, offices such as the tax assessor’s office is providing window service. Other measures to help to slow the spread of COVID-19 include taking each person’s temperature upon entering the courthouse and making sure that no more than 10 people gather in a certain location while maintaining proper social distancing.
“The window has been a big hit,” Richardson said. “We’ve borrowed one of the temperature scanners from Paul that he uses for his air conditioner stuff, and it’s pretty accurate. So we’re using that too so we don’t have to have physical contact unless it gives us a weird reading. Then she would check it with a regular thermometer.”
There was a discussion about whether there should only be 10 within the courthouse total, but Richardson said they believe it was likely 10 within a gathering. So having up to 10 within an office while keeping safe distances would be fine.
Sheriff Joedy Pennington said they started earlier in March taking steps to protect his officers and jailers. He said they will continue to follow those steps.
The resolution that passed unanimously also allows the county to be able to establish who is essential and nonessential personnel. Those deemed nonessential could be placed on administrative leave with pay according to state law.
