In response to statewide concerns about coronavirus, Monroe County manager Jim Hedges ordered on Monday the immediate shutdown of the Monroe County Library until at least March 30.
In addition, the Monroe County Tax Commissioner’s Office has moved to drive-thru only for the next two weeks while the county’s Planning and Zoning, Human Resources and Information Technology directors will all work remotely for the next two weeks. The moves come three days after the Monroe County Recreation Department closed down indefinitely to the public due to ongoing concerns about the virus and two days after the Georgia Secretary of State’s office postponed the March Presidential Primary election to May 19.
All other county departments will remain open to the public, but county staff has been reduced for the next two weeks in most departments. All county employees who are placed on leave due to coronavirus-related staffing changes will be paid during this time.
The Tax Assessor’s Office will remain open with one employee, the Finance Office will remain open with a small staff, the Purchasing Department will remain open with one employee, the Elections Office, will remain open with a small staff, the Maintenance Department will remain open with a small staff, the Repair Shop will remain open with a small staff, the Building Inspection Department will remain open with one employee, and the Extension Office will remain open with a small staff.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the Monroe County Fire/EMS Department, the Monroe County Landfill and the county’s Recycling Centers will remain open at regular hours.
For updates on the coronavirus and its impact in Monroe County, persons should like and follow the Monroe County EMA, Monroe County Health Department, Monroe County Emergency Services, Georgia, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia and Monroe County Board of Commissioners Facebook pages.