Patrick County is among a list of growing localities to declare a local state of emergency to allow for a faster response to concerns related to COVID-19.
The action will aid in supplemental resources to the locality and empower the locality to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake, according to a release from Geri Hazelwood, interim county administrator.
“Such declarations alert citizens to change normal behavior and orders government agencies to implement emergency plans,” she added.
The Patrick County Administration offices will remain open during normal business hours, and Board of Supervisors March meetings will go on as scheduled. These meetings will be live streamed on Facebook and the recordings of the meetings will be available on the county’s website, according to the release.
“As information evolves, we encourage employees and visitors to government facilities to stay home if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, as these are symptoms of the Coronavirus,” the release stated.
“I myself have been fighting the flu since last Thursday and am just getting back to work so as not to infect others. My office has been extremely short staffed due to illness,” Hazelwood said in the release.
Additionally, “we prefer citizens to conduct business over the phone or online instead of in person when possible. We are practicing ‘social distancing’ from other individuals in the building as well as practicing proper handwashing and using hand sanitizing products. We have implemented additional sanitizing practices in the county administration building as well,” she said.
The county “is working diligently to provide necessary services to our citizens while protecting our employees and citizens. Thank you to the citizens of Patrick County for your understanding and support during this time of uncertainty,” Hazelwood said, adding that offices in Patrick County are changing the way customers are served during the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically:
Department of Social Services:
Lobby is closed to the public.
If you need to drop off or pick up items, call (276) 694-3328 for assistance.
Child Protective Services Complaints (276 ) 694-3328 *Child Protective Services Hotline (800) 552-7096
Adult Protective Services Complaints (276) 694-3328 *Adult Protective Services Hotline (888) 832-3858
For deaf or hard-of-hearing: (800) 828-1120
For benefits such as Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, apply online at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov or call (855) 635-4370; Cover Virginia Call Center (for Medicaid) (856) 242-8282.
Department of Motor Vehicles:
Closed until April 2 by Gov. Ralph Northam’s order.
Tax Mapping:
Requesting the public to stand 6-feet away from the desk. Also, baby wipes are provided on the desk for visitors to clean their hands. If sick, visitors are encouraged to call and not come into the office. This is in effect for the next two weeks.
Administration:
Normal business hours. Social distancing is being practiced, whether co-workers or visitors. Proper handwashing and use of hand sanitizing products is encouraged. Additional sanitizing practices have been implemented in the administration building as well.
Commissioner of Revenue’s Office:
Closing on Fridays to clean. Normal office hours will be Monday-Thursday, with a decision to be made at a later date about returning to regular hours. Spray and antibacterial wipes are used if after a customer that shows illness leaves. No employees office have experienced the flu or flu like symptoms. If any employee shows signs of the flu, the office will close for emergency cleaning.
Treasurer’s Office:
The Treasurer’s Office is closing on Fridays; open Monday – Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office does not close for lunch. Staff will be cleaning and sanitizing using soap, water, antibacterial wipes etc. to clean the office on Fridays. Customers are experiencing symptoms of any type of sickness are asked to call the office instead of visiting.
Extension Office:
While authorized by Virginia Tech to work from home, the office will be open most days with limited staff present. Soil sample kits and camp packets are available on a table outside of the door.
Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court:
Our office will remain open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 pm. We are asking that if a hearing is to be held, that only the litigants and any party subpoenaed to court be present. Do not bring members of your family or others with you to court. The security officer is screening individuals before they enter the office. Judge Belongia issued a memorandum to the court that stated in part, “In light of the declaration of a state of judicial emergency issued by the Supreme Court of Virginia in response to the COVID-19 situation, please be advised that the Patrick County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts will suspend all non-essential and non-emergency court hearings until April 6, 2020. As a result, the only hearings that shall remain on the dockets from now until April 6, 2020 are the following: bond hearings, arraignments, protective orders, emergency removal petitions, criminal matters involving adult defendants who are incarcerated or juvenile defendants who are detained, foster care review (subject to change pending approval by the federal government).”
General District Court:
In an effort to comply with all orders and prevent further spread of COVID-19, the office will be closed to the public through April 6, 2020, unless further notice is received. Some, but not all court hearings, will still be heard during this time, including arraignments, bond hearings, protective orders, and trials/preliminary hearings for incarcerated defendants only. If you have received notice to appear in Patrick County General District Court, call 276-694-7258 to confirm whether or not you are still required to appear. Only required defendants and witnesses will be allowed to enter the courtroom during this time. Additionally, our office will not be accepting civil filings at this time. For more information in reference to civil matters, contact the office after April 13, 2020.
