Gaston County recently issued the following announcement.
The government has continued to function at a high level throughout the Stay at Home order, utilizing teleworking whenever possible to allow its employees to continue to serve its citizens while not exposing themselves to higher risk for COVID-19 while working from an office.
At the direction of county manager Dr. Kim Eagle, the County’s Continuity of Operations Team is finalizing the plans for a gradual resumption of in person services. One of the tasks that must first be accomplished is making sure the right protective equipment is in place before employees can return to work.
In coordination with Emergency Management Director Kevin Gordon, the county ordered hands-free temperature scanners at the entrances for several county facilities. Hand held-temperature scanners will also be utilized in areas that have less staff and public traffic.
The decision to purchase the large scanners was a strategic decision – preparing the county if a second spike of COVID-19 hits further down the road, or if a new illness crops up that would warrant for widespread temperature checks to protect the health and safety of staff and Gaston County residents.
The county has also used the teleworking time to allow for construction of new office space on the second and third floors of the county’s administration building.
“Our staff has done an incredible job of serving our citizens throughout this crisis,” Eagle said. “As we build our plans for gradually bringing staff back into buildings and resuming in-person services, we want to make sure we do so in a way that keeps everyone safe.”
As an example of just some of the work that has continued to happen since the county put a pause on some of its in-person services in late March, several county department directors – from building services to Gaston Emergency Medical Services – have provided a look at what their departments have been up to. Gaston County Government Department Services Report - April 2020.
In addition, Gaston County has had several organizations step to the front to aid citizens in this difficult time. The Gaston Business Task Force – a coalition of Chambers of Commerce and other pro-business entities – created a website in March that has served as a resource for small business owners in need of answers.
For those looking to apply to have their business deemed essential, the Task Force has that information readily available at GastonDevCorp.com/workforce-resources.
Original source: https://www.gastongov.com/news_detail_T32_R322.php
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