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BELLEFONTE -- With COVID-19 numbers on the rise in Centre County, concerns were addressed at Tuesday's meeting of the county commissioners.
Starting Monday, Nov. 30, county offices will return to full remote work status. It was also announced that the Tuesday, Dec. 1 and Tuesday, Dec. 8 commissioners meetings will move to a virtual platform.
County administrator Margaret Gray talked about the spike in numbers.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across our region and we do know that significant community spread is taking place," Gray said. "That situation, in conjunction with the orders last week from the Governor and the Department of Public Health Secretary regarding travel, testing and masking, which took effect last Thursday … the commissioners with the president judge have identified and revised the operational protocols for Centre County Government."
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, county offices went to full remote work status before county employees eventually returned. Now, remote work status is back.
"Offices will return to full remote work status while keeping our services intact. What this means is that all employees who are able to do work remotely will be working off-site. It's somewhat easier for us to pivot back to this status than it was in the spring because many of our employees are now equipped with laptops … it's an easier move back in some regard. We will be working to have as few people in our buildings as possible starting Monday for the period of Nov. 30 through Dec. 11."
Gray noted that the status will be re-evaluated by the Board of Commissioners, "somewhere before the end of the two-week period."
The receptionist area in county office buildings will remain open for mail and package delivery, Gray said.
"But the buildings remain closed. That has not changed throughout this pandemic," she said.
The buildings are only open to certain employees and by appointment to the general public. For employees who are entering county office buildings, there is a strict masking requirement, Gray said.
On Tuesday afternoon, the county sent out a release regarding operations at the Centre County Courthouse.
It stated that: "Emergency matters, including PFA's and emergency custody matters, will be addressed by the Court. All additional court proceedings will be conducted remotely and/or continued if remote communication is not possible."
"We appreciate the partnership and collaboration we continue to have with our courts. President Judge Pam Ruest issued an order that was similarly worded, very well done to mitigate the spread in the courts. We appreciate everything that her and her team are doing in the courts. We appreciate that so much."
Pipe noted hat county office buildings will be completely closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
"We hope everyone stays safe as we enter into the holiday season," Pipe said.
The BOC will meet virtually at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1. That meeting will be streamed live on C-NET.