Putnam County releases COVID-19 response plan

Following a Monday move to limit the number of people who enter the Putnam County Courthouse, on Tuesday, county officials released a COVID-19 response plan to limit transmission of the virus while doing whatever is possible to maintain operations.

To this end, county leaders are urging all departments to “limit the amount of direct contact with the general public while working within the scope of employment for Putnam County.”

While county offices are still remaining open at this time, they are reducing direct access for essential purposes, “but with preference to conducting business by telephone, U.S. Mail, fax or electronic mail (e-mail) whenever possible.”

Additionally, the policy calls for offices to adhere to the normal work week, which means Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for most county offices. However, allowances are being made for certain employees to utilize alternate schedules and arrangements to fulfill obligations and requirements.

For example, on Monday, County Commissioner Rick Woodall said he understood that some county employees are currently struggling to keep their work schedule with children home while schools are closed for the COVID-19 outbreak.

Like many other employers, the county has also enacted a number of strategies for dealing with sick employees and employees who have traveled.

Employees are, of course, recommended to stay home if they have symptoms of acute respiratory illness, including fever. Those with such symptoms must obtain a doctor’s note to validate that it is not COVID-19.

The county has also enacted policies for separating and sending home employees who come to work ill or who become sick at work.

As for travel, employees who travel to China, Iran, Italy or South Korea will be asked to stay home for a period for 14 days from the time they return.

Additionally, employees are being told not to take cruises at this time.

Employees are told to follow the CDC’s latest guidance when it comes to travel outside of Indiana or the United States.

All county employees are also advised to contact their supervisor if they are exposed to COVID-19, have a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or have a family member with COVID-19. In such cases, the county will abide by Centers for Disease Control guidelines.

In the memo, the county also sets forth various emergency levels for the county, which include:

Level 1 - No suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county.

Level 2 - One to five confirmed cases in the county.

Level 3 - Six to 10 confirmed cases in the county.

Level 4 - More than 10 confirmed cases in the county.

Each elected official or department head was asked to submit a proposed emergency office plan for each of these scenarios, to be enacted when the county reaches Level 2 or greater.

Absenteeism will be monitored to determine if the proposed plans should be implemented or if the closure of certain Putnam County offices is warranted.

As was reported earlier, some county offices had already begun limiting traffic, such as Putnam County courts conducting hearings by video or telephone and continuing hearings and trials when possible.

The county probation offices have likewise moved to telephone conferences.