City of Charleston, Kanawha County Provide Guidance on Access to Public Buildings

Today, Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and Kanawha County Commissioners, Kent Carper, Henry C. Shores, and Ben Salango announced policies that effect government workers and buildings. The City of Charleston will move to essential personnel effective tomorrow. All other personnel will be placed on administrative leave and will continue to be paid.

In addition, the Kanawha County Commission is requesting and has authorized all Elected County Officials to allow employees to work from home or work remotely if possible, especially employees that have been impacted by the recent public-school closure. The Commission will be allocating funding to help offset overtime that may be required due to staffing shortages caused by Covid-19 outbreak. 

Effective immediately, all access to City offices, public event facilities and community/recreation centers will be limited to the public in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. This directive includes public access to all of City Hall, offices and common areas within the City Service Center, all fire stations, the Municipal Auditorium and the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. This does not limit public access to City-owned parking garages or City-owned shelter facilities, such as the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter or the Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center. This public access limitation will last until Monday, March 30, unless sooner rescinded. City Administration will continue to assess this public health threat and adjust accordingly, including extending the limitation period if necessary.

“In an abundance of caution, we are limiting access to all our City facilities in order to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “The City will continue to provide essential services to our constituents and put the health and safety of our Capital City at the forefront.”

In response to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, the Kanawha County Commission is, effective immediately, asking the public to limit access to the Courthouse to visits for only essential business or services.  The Commission is encouraging the public to call first (304-357-0101) or visit the county website at www.kanawha.us to determine if business can be conducted telephonically or online before visiting the courthouse in person.   Kanawha County Courthouse will remain open to the public during normal hours, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.  

The Judicial Annex, housing Magistrate Court, Family Court, and Circuit Courts fall under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Appeals, that has issued an administrative order which is attached hereto and is self-explanatory, regarding Covid-19.

Commissioner Carper noted, “We have worked with the Mayor Goodwin, Dr. Sherri Young, and our Elected Officials on our response to this unprecedented public health emergency.  We are taking precautions to protect our employees and the public.  If we need to further limit access due to this outbreak, we will do so in consultation with our partner agencies.” 

Commissioner Ben Salango said, “This is an extremely serious situation, and we want to make sure we are keeping the public and our employees safe.  We believe the limiting access to the courthouse and allowing employees to work from home is the right thing to do and in the best interests of public welfare.”

“It is important to remember throughout this event that we should not panic,” said Mayor Goodwin. “Continue to live your life but take precautions when doing so. Last night, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) amended its guidance for social assemblies and recommends limiting gatherings to no more than 50 people. We should all continue to follow the recommended CDC guidelines and practice social distancing.”

For the latest federal guidance, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.