The Allen County Courthouse will be open for business as soon as the state gives the go-ahead.
County commissioners discussed the protocols that will be followed, assuming Gov. Laura Kelly does not extend her stay-at-home order. The order ends Sunday.
Several safeguards will remain in place, as prescribed by state and federal health officials.
All visitors likely will continue to be directed to enter the courthouse through its north entrance, and the number of customers likely will be limited to only two or three in each office, commissioners agreed.
County Treasurer Crickett Maley expects her office to be flooded by residents who have been unable to renew their vehicle registrations for March or April. Plus property taxes are due May 10.
Maley said a line of chairs will be positioned in the courthouse hallway, positioned at least six feet apart. If business is so heavy all those chairs are occupied, others will be asked to wait outside.
Commissioners encouraged her to stay open all day, giving customers more time to conduct business, thus relieving crowd sizes.
“This is not new to any of us,” Commissioner Jerry Daniels said, noting businesses have established protective measures since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were put in place weeks ago. “People need to understand they may need to wait outside for a few minutes.”
“I see us starting out, and we may have to change a couple of times,” Commissioner Bill King said. “You may have to adapt and adjust.”
Many of the safeguards boil down to common sense, King added.
Keeping workers and the public safe will remain the highest priority, Commissioner Bruce Symes added.
Plexiglass splash guards have been ordered for several courthouse offices, due to arrive any day.
Courthouse employees will be required to have their temperature taken when they arrive for work each day. Those with a fever, or other symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home.
Maley asked if that was necessary, noting the employees who have been working through the shutdown have been doing so with an abundance of precaution already.
Symes encouraged Maley to err on the side of caution.
“We want to instill with the public the idea that we’re doing what we can to make them feel safe,” Symes said. “Taking temps once a morning is not that big of a thing. It’s going to help our employees, and it’s going to let the public know they’re safe in coming here. I don’t want to get hysterical with guidelines, and I haven’t been. But I think (asking employees to have their temperatures checked) is listed there for a reason. If it’s at all possible to take each others’ temperatures, I think it’s a good idea.”
