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All visitors to the Troup County Government Center will be asked a series of medical questions before being allowed to enter the building, according to a statement from Troup County Manager Eric Mosley on Tuesday.

Those questions include:

• Do you have or have you had a fever in the last 72 hours?
• Do you have a cough or respiratory symptoms?
• Have you traveled outside of the United States within the last 14 days or had close contact with anyone who has?
• Have you been asked to self-quarantine by any health care official?
• Have you been diagnosed or had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19?

Mosley said if the answer is yes to any of those questions, a person may be denied entry into the Government Center.

“We are also taking precautionary steps to limit the number of visitors entering the building to adhere to President (Donald Trump’s) request of limited people in one area at a time,” Mosley’s statement said. “Permitted visitors will be given a lanyard to wear in the building during their visit to ensure they have been through security screening.”

Mosley said the county is not considering closing county buildings as of Tuesday but is preparing its staff and resources to handle additional requests through telephone and computer-based applications.

“While taking all the necessary precautions that you have heard in the media and from surrounding health and governmental organizations, we want to assure you that we will be responsive to your governmental needs during this time of uncertainty,” he said in a statement. “Some of our methods of operation may change for a short time, so we urge you to please be patient and understanding while limiting your requests for non-essential services.

Mosley said the county’s public safety personnel would continue to answer calls for service, but the county is asking that non-emergency calls be kept to a minimum to utilize resources to its fullest extent for emergencies. He said routine reports and requests for information may be handled by telephone during regular business hours.

“The health and safety of our first responders is absolutely essential to the health and safety of our community,” Mosley said in the statement.

The county is asking residents with identified COVID-19 patients or houses with residents currently under quarantine to hold their waste under the county determines other means of disposal. However, he said the solid waste services would continue on a normal schedule.

Mosley also reached out to economic developers and constructors by saying permits, plans and occupational licenses can be accessed through online resources and county staff is available to answer questions on the phone.

While acknowledging the value of a robust economic system to Troup County, Mosley also encouraged the patronization of local businesses why using social distancing and hygienic techniques recommended by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control.

“As we continue to monitor this unfamiliar and frightening phenomenon, rest assured that we are coordinating with our federal, state and local partners, including our emergency management agency and our local and regional Department of Public Health, and will provide updates as they arise,” Mosley said.