Wayne County government continues to operate, restricts public access

HONESDALE, PA —  At a weekly meeting attended only by members of the press, the Wayne County Commissioners discussed their current approach to handling the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

While they have decided to restrict access to all county facilities to employees and necessary visitors on a case-by-case basis, chairman Brian Smith said that the county government will continue operating.

"We have to continue in our essential services," Smith said. "We continue to take measures to limit the access to public areas as much as we can while still providing these services."

Effective through April 3, sheriff's deputies and county staff will be stationed at the doors of the courthouse, the aging building, the Park Street Complex to coordinate visitors trying to conduct essential business.

Smith added that the commissioners had met with department heads that morning to discuss what each department could do over phone, mail and internet to limit contact with the public.

The county is asking members of the public to look on www.waynecountypa.gov for departments' updated hours and procedures and to call ahead before visiting a county facility.

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