On Monday, Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor announced that Town Hall is closed to the public due to a COVID outbreak. Several employees have tested positive for the virus.
The mayor said specialty cleaning equipment is being used to sanitize the building.
The Macon County Health Department has been notified and the town is following prescribed protocols.
There is a rolling 14-day COVID positivity rate of 37.98% in Macon County
“We’ve had three cases in Town Hall within a week,” said Town Manager Josh Ward. “We felt it was best to shut down, clean and try to keep from spreading the virus.”
The three employees with COVID are following the health department’s instructions for returning to work.
“The IT department has set up laptops to enable us to work from home,” said Ward. “We are using our fogger to sanitize Town Hall and other facilities.”
In addition, the town is working on setting up a remote phone system to be in communication with those calling with questions regarding town business.
“Frances is set up to answer the Town Hall phone from her house,” Ward said.
Payments for utilities can be put in the silver drop box in front of Town Hall on N. 4th Street.
Mayor Taylor said Town Board meetings will be held via Zoom until further notice.
By Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper