Talbot County Government Reopens for Public Access

Talbot County Government has announced a plan to return to full staffing levels on Monday, June 15 and reopening County facilities to the public on Wednesday, June 17. Access to the County Court House will be limited to the County government areas (South Wing and Finance Office), as there will be no public access to the court and related State offices until July 22. A plan was developed by the County Manager’s Office in conjunction with the Talbot County Health Officer and Director of Emergency Services to ensure the health and safety of County employees and the general public.

“The County Council is pleased to open the County government again for public access and want to be sure citizens know that we are doing everything possible to protect them from the coronavirus while they are in our public spaces. We ask them to comply with the protocols that our own employees will practice to ensure our continued health and safety,” states Andrew Hollis, Talbot County Manager.

The following workplace safety enhancement protocols are now in place for all County employees. Employee health procedures include daily employee self-screening temperature checks in each department before beginning work (employees with fevers at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or who are experiencing coughing or shortness of breath will be sent home until those symptoms have subsided for three days); frequent handwashing throughout each workday; cleaning of work surfaces; wearing a face mask when working with citizens or in close contact with other employees, or entering a citizen’s home or business; and practicing social distancing of six feet between other employees or the public.

Visitor health procedures within County buildings include wearing a County-provided disposable mask or their personal mask; maintaining a six-foot separation at all times possible from staff and other visitors (should the public area of the department not permit the separation, then access will be limited to one member of the public at a time); and scheduling appointments whenever possible with County employees.

The County’s Facilities Maintenance Department has installed hand sanitizers throughout County buildings. County employees will frequently clean work surfaces using appropriate cleaning and disinfectant products.

The County is encouraging the use of video conferencing or telephone conferencing instead of in-person meetings and contactless pick-up of requested items (plans, records, bills, etc.).

For further information on the County’s new protocols, contact the Office of the County Manager at 410-770-8010.

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~ Talbot County