Commission outlines safety steps to be taken

KINGWOOD — Preston County commissioners on Tuesday outlined steps being taken by county government to protect staff and the public from coronavirus.

That includes the Preston County Sheriff’s Office being closed to the public. Anyone who needs to apply for an initial concealed weapons license or pay home confinement fees should mail them to the office at 103 W. Main St., Kingwood, WV 26537.

In case of an emergency, call 911. Non-emergency calls to the sheriff should be directed to 304-329-1611.

“We’re just going to go through with business as usual,” Sheriff’s Capt. J.H. Bryan said.

He noted that inmates of the Tygart Valley Regional Jail brought to the county for court appearances are undergoing health checks at the jail before being transported to the county.

Only employees will be allowed into the Preston 911/Emergency Management Office until further notice. Critical vendors will be escorted into the office as required. Staff will still be working.

Questions for Emergency Management, Floodplain Management, or Mapping and Addressing, can be directed to 304-329-1855.

County Administrator Kathy Mace said both offices are first responders. “We have to protect them so they can take care of us,” she said.

The Preston County Animal Shelter is closed to the public through April 1. This is a scheduled closing for deep cleaning and maintenance, “however we believe that this action is also helpful to promote social distancing,” according to the commission.

Other county offices will remain open, but anyone who is feeling sick or who believes they may have had contact with the virus is asked not to enter them.

County employees are being required to wipe down their work stations at the end of each day. If they share a work station, they are required to wipe them down at the beginning and end of each shift.

Staff is also being advised to wash their hands frequently and to use hand sanitizer as often as possible.

Online services for paying taxes or accessing records will remain open. Email addresses, mailing addresses and phone numbers for county offices and agencies are online at prestoncountywv.gov.

Appointments for those addressing the county commission will be set 10 minutes apart, and speakers will be asked to leave after making their presentation. The meeting room Tuesday was set up with most chairs six feet apart.

“Just to practice good social distancing and keep people apart,” Commission President Samantha Stone said.

County Assessor Connie Ervin, who was hoarse but said she had spoken with her doctor, was asked by commissioners to make her budget presentation either by FaceTime or a conference call.

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