GAINESVILLE – Hall County leaders released details Monday afternoon of plans to reopen county government after more than seven weeks of severely scaled-down operation.
County Administrator Jock Connell addressed the Hall County Commission at its work session, saying the time had come. “Now we are approaching two months of many of our facilities being closed to the public…but we are now approaching a point where it is time to begin thinking about reopening our facilities to the public.”
“That will happen one week from today,” Connell said. “But I would caution you that on May the 18th the doors are not just going to open and it will be back to normal.”
“It will be a very methodical opening; it’ll probably be deemed by some to be a slow opening; and even though some facilities will open on May 18, there will other facilities that will not open for two to three weeks…they will be phased in over that two to three to four week period.” Connell added.
Connell added a caveat to his announcement, saying the reopening plan was subject to change: “We’re not looking for us to hit our peak here (Hall County) until somewhere around June7-10…so we’ve got to be cognizant of COVID-19.”
“Our controlled reopening plan is meant to protect both our employees and the public as we navigate that timeline and seek to maintain social distancing for the foreseeable future. Obviously, if our local situation worsens, then we will have to readjust our plans accordingly. We are monitoring our situation on a daily basis and will continue to do so."
According to a media release from the county the following departments will be part of the May 18th reopening. Please note that all will require that an appointment be made the preceding business day:
- Board of Commissioners
- Building Inspections
- Business License
- Elections
- Engineering
- Environmental Health
- Financial Services
- Human Resources
- Marshal's Office
- Planning & Development
- Public Works
- Tax Assessors
In order to schedule an appointment with any of the above departments, according to Public Information Officer Katie Crumley, citizens should call (770) 535-8288. Appointments will be available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. In addition, appointments must be booked by 5 p.m. the business day prior to the day of the requested appointment.
Assistant County Administrator Zach Propes explained the specifics of the planned re-openings to the commission as follows:
“The Hall County Tax Commissioner's Office, which issues vehicles tags among other services, will remain closed until further notice. Citizens seeking services in that department are encouraged to log on to www.hallcountytax.org or to call 770-531-6950.
A number of other precautions will also be in place as departments reopen. Those precautions include the following:
- Glass storefronts will be installed in areas of the building that receive frequent visitors.
- The number of people allowed on elevators will be limited to three in order to maximize social distancing.
- Front-line employees who have frequent interaction with citizens will be required to wear a face mask.
- Visitors will be encouraged to wear a face mask and will be asked whether or not they have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or if they have experienced symptoms associated with the virus.
- Staff will be working in shifts in order to limit the number of people in a given area at any given time.
The Hall County Library System will be offering curbside library service beginning Monday, May 18 at the Gainesville, Spout Springs, Blackshear Place, and Murrayville libraries. Appointments and more information is available at www.hallcountylibrary.org. In addition, telephone and email assistance with holds, new cards, renewals and other questions will still be available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Book drops will also reopen to accept returns on May 18. All returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours based on national recommendations from library organizations. Please note that the North Hall Community Center branch will remain closed until that building reopens. Virtual programs, including story times, continue via the library's Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Hall County Farmers Market is set to open next week with new precautions and procedures in place at that location. The first farmers market of the year will take place Tuesday, May 19, but the market will look different than it has in the past. Only every other booth space will be occupied, restrooms will be closed, no samples will be allowed and shoppers will not be able to use their own bags. Signage with these and other rules to promote health and safety measures will be on display at the farmer's market as it reopens to the public.
As these facilities reopen, increased sanitation efforts will continue countywide to ensure the most sterile environment possible,” Propes said.
One item remains unchanged, as we reported last month, early voting for the June 9th Statewide General Primary/Presidential Preference Primary Election will take place beginning May 18 at the Gainesville Exploration Academy (formerly Gainesville Elementary School) on McEver Road instead of at the Hall County Government Center.
