Owensville City Hall remains closed due to COVID-19 infections

By Dave Marner, Managing Editor
Posted 9/16/20

BY DAVE MARNER

Managing editor

dmarner@wardpub.com

 

Owensville City Hall remains closed until further notice after at least two city employees have tested positive for the …

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Owensville City Hall remains closed due to COVID-19 infections

Posted

BY DAVE MARNER

Managing editor

dmarner@wardpub.com

 

Owensville City Hall remains closed until further notice after at least two city employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, COVID-19.

City business concluded at 4:30 p.m. Thursday after a full-time city staffer tested positive for the virus. City Hall was closed Friday for extensive sanitization and the building remained closed on Monday.

A full-time staff member was also told to quarantine due to close contact with the infected staff member.

Two remaining staff members resumed operations at the facility on Tuesday but at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, those remaining employees received a call from personnel with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) informing them a part-time employee had also tested positive. And, they too, would need to go into quarantine until Sept. 24. Neither had symptoms, one told The Republican.

According to the staff member who spoke with The Republican, “we’re going to work in shifts” to process utility bills and incoming mail, accept deliveries, and respond to telephone calls from residents making utility payments with credit or debit cards. They will not meet with the public.

“All of us were exposed — to someone who had the virus,” the staff member said. “We’re only here because we’re essential employees.”

The due date for city utility payments has also been extended.

Residents who wish to make a payment by credit or debit cards are asked to call 437-2812 and leave a message. Staff will contact you to obtain your card number. Do not leave your card number on the message .

The building will remain closed.

The city’s scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting for Monday, Sept. 21 has already been canceled. A Board of Adjustments hearing scheduled for Monday was called off. A scheduled committee meeting with aldermen and members of the Owensville Fire Department’s planning committee, planned for tomorrow (Thursday) has also been called off.