The Fayette County Commission on March 16 voted unanimously to close county government offices to the public through March 27 due to the health issues relating to COVID-19.

Tax Commissioner Kristie King at the meeting said she would release half her staff to provide adequate social distancing while leaving the office open so that business required by state law, such as title transfers, could continue.

King said she will personally monitor the doors to the office, having the number of customers allowed in the office to equal the number of staff there to assist them.

Noting that the commission was in uncharted territory with the decision, Chairman Randy Ognio echoed the sentiments of others on the board who said the decision was a measured response to the conditions of COVID-19 and was made using an abundance of caution.

Along with government offices being closed through March 27, the closure will result in the cancellation of the commission’s March 26 meeting. The closure measure does not apply to constitutional offices.

County employees will continue to staff offices, with the public asked to limit contact to phone, email and online communication.

Commissioners gave County Administrator Steve Rapson authority to make decisions dealing with county operations as he deemed necessary.