Masks will again be required of visitors to the Clarke County Courthouse as well as of employees working in the building.

The Clarke County Commission made the decision at the Tuesday, Aug. 10 meeting because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the county and state. The reinstated mask policy will begin Thursday, Aug. 12.

The county had initially imposed the use of masks last year when the pandemic began. In June, with cases lessening and the state mask mandate coming off, commissioners voted to drop the mandated use but still encouraged people to wear masks in the building. A few did.

The question of checking temperatures at the front door was asked but EMA Director Roy Waite explained that new thermal cameras do that when someone enters the building.

“Make sure those folks at the door are trained on how that works,” suggested a commissioner.

Later during the meeting Director Waite stated that Clarke County has had 3,853 Covid cases since the pandemic started last year and 63 total deaths. In the past week, 138 new cases were added.

A question of personal protection equipment supplies for the county was posed and Waite said state examiners have said the supplies need to be bid out but a supply company is unlikely to do that because of the constant change and availability of product. He said the county could offer bids and see. “But what if we don’t get bids?” Commissioner Bill Taylor asked.

By Ross Wood
The South Alabamian
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