Starke County Commissioners Restrict Public Access to County Buildings

The Starke County Commissioners unanimously signed a temporary policy Tuesday evening which closes all county buildings to the public until further notice. 

The county employees will report to work unless ill.  If any resident has business to conduct at any of the county buildings, call, email, mail, or teleconference a department representative for assistance.  Members of the public will not be allowed into the county buildings until further notice.  Unauthorized members of the public refusing to leave immediately upon request may be subject to removal by the security staff.

An appointment may be scheduled at the discretion of the elected officials or other department head.  Exceptions can be made for emergencies. 

The judicial branch will issue its own policy.

The commissioners stress the temporary closure is to help combat the severe threat to public health and safety posed by COVID-19. 

A notice signed by the commissioners will be posted at each entrance to each county building under the temporary order. 

The commissioners also signed temporary operations policies concerning sick days and vacation days that county employees can use if necessary in response to COVID-19.  That policy will be distributed to all employees.