City Taking Precautions As Cases Of Virus Spike

Cases of the Coronavirus have increased in the city of Covington and throughout the Alleghany Highlands in recent days.
In an effort to remain responsive and ensure business continuity, Covington officials are continuing to work diligently to monitor these increased case counts and are undertaking enhanced measures to diminish potential exposure as much as possible. 
“The goal is to protect those we serve as well as our employees who keep the city running,” Covington City Manager Krystal Onaitis.
On Monday, the city instituted the following measures to ensure the safety of all with regards to services and facilities. 
“We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during these unprecedented and constantly changing times,” Onaitis said. “We will continue to update you as new information becomes available. Please stay safe, healthy, and remember that we are #AllInThisTogether.”
Effective Immediately
• The Covington Public Works Department will remain closed to the public until further notice.
• The city will be focusing on Refuse Collection only through the end of this week, Nov. 6, 2020.
• The city will be answering emergency public works requests with a limited capacity.
• The department will be running a skeleton crew and teleworking, through the end of this week, Nov. 6, 2020.
• If you need assistance, please contact the office at (540) 965-6321 or (540) 965-6322.
• If an emergency arises, you are encouraged to contact Covington Dispatch at (540) 965-6333 anytime 24/7.
• Toward the end of the week, the city will re-evaluate the status of COVID-19 cases and will update citizens and businesses on what, if any, service changes can be made safe for all.
The departments within Covington’s City Hall
• Will remain closed to the public until further notice for walk-ins.
• Offices will continue teleworking outside of the building through Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
• Anyone in need of assistance is asked to please contact those offices, via telephone or email. Numbers and email addresses for City Hall offices are located on the city’s website: www.covington.va.us.
• Payments for utilities and other items can be made by placing them in the dropbox on the side of City Hall. 
“We urge citizens to leave a check or money order, please no cash,” Onaitis said. “Payments over the phone will resume this week.”
Covington City Council’s Tuesday, Nov. 3, called meeting and work session will be moved to online Zoom meetings.
They will be live-streamed on the city’s Covington Notifications Page and Covington, VA page for the citizens to view.
Covington Facilities & Sponsored Events
• Voting will still take place today.
The city’s Registrar’s Office will have the proper PPE, N-95 masks, and other safety equipment to make sure that the election staff and the public have a safe means and opportunity to vote.
• The city of Covington will be postponing or canceling all events that will take place within any of the city’s facilities through Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.
These include Jackson River Sport Complex, all park shelters, red train depot, etc.
“We apologize for any inconvenience, but we must take steps to keep everyone healthy, and safe,” Onaitis said.
Toward the end of the next two weeks, the city will re-evaluate the status of COVID-19 cases and will update the citizens in the direction that the city will take with events and other efforts. 
“Our goal is health and safety for all,” Onaitis added.
The Highlands COVID-19 Task Force will reconvene as a smaller group this week.
“The focus will be on ensuring support across all local governments on operational needs, law enforcement needs and supporting educational efforts underway, and talking with health care providers during this unfortunate spike in cases our area is seeing,” Onaitis concluded.