Allen County offices at the courthouse are restricting visitors because of a small number of COVID-19 cases among employees.
Commissioner Bill King said he advised department leaders to take whatever precautions they feel are appropriate until the commission meets Tuesday and can discuss the matter further.
In most cases, that will mean limiting visitors to one at a time. Office doors may be closed as a precautionary measure, King said, but the departments remain open. He recommends calling ahead to make arrangements with staff.
The restrictions come at a time when property owners are expected to pay the first half of property taxes by Dec. 21.
“We want to protect the public as well as our employees. They’ll accommodate people as best as they can,” King said.
“It’s not widespread, just a couple of cases. So let’s take proactive measures before it gets worse. I think this will pass if we just use our heads.”
MEANWHILE, Allen County’s total COVID-19 case count grew to 433 on Friday, up from 402 on Wednesday. The county has 87 active cases.
The CDC and Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued new recommendations earlier this week about the duration of quarantine for someone exposed to COVID-19. The recommendation shortens the time from 14 days to 10 days.
KDHE allows local health officials to choose whether to shorten the quarantine period.
Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments, which includes Allen County, will reduce the quarantine period to 10 days. Director Rebecca Johnson, though, said she does not agree with a shorter quarantine time because the incubation period for the disease remains 14 days.
“However, I understand the hardships the 14 day, or longer, quarantine is causing to our residents financially, physically, mentally and even academically,” she said.
The change will not apply to those already placed in quarantine.
