Elkins Announces Next Reopening Steps

May 13th, 2020 | 3:41 pm

Last modified on May 14th, 2020 at 05:11 pm

City hall opening to public May 18; Yard sales permitted May 15

Elkins, W. Va., May 13, 2020: Elkins officials today announced the scheduled dates of multiple reductions in coronavirus-related restrictions, including the reopening of city hall to the public, permission to resume yard sales and door-to-door solicitation, and the resumption of municipal court proceedings. To reduce COVID-19 infection risk, the public is encouraged to continue using no-contact methods for paying utility bills or contacting city staff. Multiple additional safety precautions will be required as well.

Elkins City Hall is now scheduled to reopen to the public on Monday, May 18, during its normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Per the West Virginia DHHR order “Public Standards for Businesses Remaining Open During the COVID-19 Outbreak,” only two customers at a time will be allowed to enter the city hall lobby and will be asked to observe social distancing of six feet from other people who are not behind the plexiglass window of the treasurer or police department’s counter. Meetings with city staff having offices on the second floor will be by appointment only, on the first floor.

Elkins Municipal Court is now scheduled to resume hearings and trials on June 1. The court will follow safety precautions issued by the West Virginia Supreme Court, including a universal requirement for wearing masks, limitations on the number of people (including witnesses) who may enter the courtroom and building at one time, and required sanitization before entering the court room.

A new executive order issued by Mayor Van Broughton goes into effect on Friday. This order, City of Elkins Executive Order (COE EO) 03-20, rescinds COE EO 01-20, which temporarily prohibited door-to-door solicitation and yard, garage, and similar sales. As of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 15, these activities are once again permitted. Participants are advised to maintain six-feet of distance from other people and to wear face coverings or masks to reduce COVID-19 infection risk.

Please visit www.cityofelkinswv.com/coronavirus for more information about these updates (including copies of relevant orders and guidelines), as well as an overview of COVID-19 response in Elkins and West Virginia.