Following Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s announcement Wednesday that he is extending the statewide shelter in place order through April 30, a number of Hall County Government facilities are extending their closures through the end of the month as well.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Hall County Board of Commissioners remains committed to protecting the health and wellness of the Hall County community," Hall County Administrator Jock Connell said. "With that in mind, we are continuing to follow best practices as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the White House as we continue to provide essential services to the public."
The Hall County Government Center, Hall county’s community centers, libraries, park pavilions, playgrounds, and park restrooms have extended their closures through April 30. The Hall County Animal Shelter extended its closure to the public as well; however, staff will continue to care for the animals there on a daily basis. Parks and library programming have been canceled until further notice, and the Hall County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex will both be open only for essential matters through April. The Hall County Correctional Institute has also scaled back inmate work details countywide in the best interest of the public and its prisoners. The Hall County Landfill, Recycling Center and compactor sites remain open.
A limited number of employees will continue to report to these facilities each day in order to provide basic and essential functions of government to the public; however, those employees will be required to practice social distancing to minimize any risk to their health. Increased sanitation efforts continue countywide to ensure employees reporting for these essential functions are working in the most sterile environment possible.
"We are continuing to direct the public to our website, hallcounty.org, to conduct County business online," said Connell.
Online motor vehicle services, including vehicle registration renewals, the payment of insurance fines, etc. are all available via the "Online Payments" button on Hall County’s website. That’s also where citizens can pay their property tax, renew their business license, and more.
The County’s website can also be used to file property tax exemptions or print an absentee ballot application, just to name a few.
The homepage of the website includes a "Departments" heading where citizens can find links to individual County departments’ contact information in order to contact a department specifically and determine whether or not their Hall County business can be conducted without an in-person visit.
Finally, a number of proactive steps Hall County has taken to date in regards to the coronavirus epidemic, along with a number of other helpful resources on this issue, can be found at ready.hallcounty.org.
"I would like to personally thank all Hall County citizens for their cooperation and patience as we navigate this uncharted territory together, as a Hall County community," said Connell.