Masks required

Effective immediately, any member of the public entering Jay County Courthouse must be wearing a face mask or face covering.

Meeting in special session this morning, Jay County Commissioners unanimously adopted modifications to county policies to come into compliance with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s latest recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the new rules, all county employees are required to wear masks for face coverings when waiting on the public. They are also directed to maintain social distancing of 6 feet, wash their hands on a regular basis and disinfect high contact surfaces regularly.

“As far as the health department is concerned, we recommend (wearing a mask) at a minimum when working with the public and when it’s not possible to maintain social distance,” Jay County Health Department environmentalist and administrator Heath Butz said.

Commissioners Mike Leonhard and Chad Aker said they believed the rules approved today were sufficient. Commissioner Chuck Huffman, while voting to approve the rules, said he did so “with reservations.”

“To me (face masks) should also be required when out in a common area,” said Huffman. “As an employer we need to take steps to protect employees.”

Butz agreed that it would be preferable to have all employees working in “bullpen” situations in courthouse offices wear masks at all times. But that step was not included in the resolution approved today.

The courthouse will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but all business is to be conducted by appointment only.

“As the governor lightens restrictions, we expect we’re going to see more COVID cases,” said Butz. He noted that additional testing sites are being established, with a goal of having 50 in Indiana by the middle of May. Testing at those sites will be free but will be limited to those who are symptomatic or who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.

As of May 11, Butz said, the state will be taking over the process of tracing contacts of those who test positive. In other action, commissioners unanimously approved a right-of-way change on county road 700 West so a crane being used in the construction of Bitter Ridge Wind Farm can be moved.