COE COVID-19 Update: March 19, 2020

Since the mayor’s declaration Tuesday, the City of Elkins has been and remains under a citywide state of emergency. (There are also national and statewide declared emergencies.) By themselves, declared states of emergency mainly enable streamlining of government operations and do not automatically impose restrictions on businesses or private citizens.

However, the governor of West Virginia has issued the following additional orders:

• Closure of all casinos and restriction of bars and restaurants to carryout/delivery only (no inside table or bar service). The governor also announced the temporary suspension of the regulatory rule prohibiting bars and restaurants from providing beer and wine for off-premises consumption.
• Closure of gyms and recreation facilities.

In accordance with city officials’ best understanding of the current public-health advice concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, Elkins City Hall remains closed to the public. As per the governor’s order, the Phil Gainer Community Center is also closed to the public. However, all city departments are operating and providing all services, under modified procedures.

• Trash is being collected on the regular schedule.
• Building permits are being issued
• Utility bills and municipal court fines can be paid online or in the dropbox behind city hall
• The fire department building is closed to the public; firefighters may be wearing additional personal protective equipment
• Police officers may be wearing additional personal protective equipment

Please review the following information and check the provided statewide and national sources for more information. Let’s look out for each other—we all have a role to play in minimizing the spread of this deadly virus.

City Blog Posts

• 3/19: Bill/Court fine payment during city hall closure
• 3/18: Building permits being issued during closure
• 3/18: Elkins Officials Join White House COVID-19 Briefing
• 3/17: City of Elkins Coronavirus Recommendations
• 3/17: Mayor Broughton Proclaims City State of Emergency over Coronavirus Pandemic

In the Community

• Drive-thru Screening Clinic Opens at Davis Medical

Trustworthy Information Sources

There’s a lot of information and misinformation going around. To keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community safe, please:

• Consider the source
• Check the date
• Ask the experts

Here are some good sources of current information and advice.

• Governor’s Office News Releases
• Va. DHHR COVID-19 page
• U.S. CDC Coronavirus page
• President’s Coronavirus guidelines
• The COVID Tracking Project
• Davis Medical System COVID-19 page

Channels to Follow for Updates

National:

• U.S. CDC Twitter feed

State:

• Governor Jim Justice’s Twitter feed
• WV DHHR Twitter feed

Local:

• Randolph Co. DHS/OEM text and email updates
• Elkins City Hall Facebook page
• Elkins City Hall Twitter feed
• Elkins City Hall email alerts