Jasper County is closing its public offices less than a month after reopening them
Jasper County is closing its offices to the public Monday in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 after they were reopened three weeks ago, according to a Thursday morning news release.
The offices, which previously closed on March 17, reopened June 15.
The most recent closure was prompted by “an alarming increase of COVID-19 cases over the last three weeks,” the release said.
“Most importantly, the increase in the number of positive local COVID cases and the volume of transactions within the County office buildings was placing a greater personal risk on Jasper County employees and their families at home,” it said.
The “burden” of providing personal protective equipment to everyone entering the buildings and cost of “continual cleaning” were also factors in the decision.
Since the pandemic began, Jasper County has had 138 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and three people have died from the illness, according to data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
County parks and trails will stay open and trash collection will still run on normal schedule.
The end of the release noted: “Wearing masks, practicing Social Distancing and frequently washing your hands are still the best ways to prevent contracting COVID-19.”
The announcement comes one day after Hardeeville City Council unanimously voted against requiring masks and a few days ahead of Jasper County Council discussing its own ordinance.
