St. Louis County is limiting public access to county government workers for some services as part of operational changes to protect the public and workers from the coronavirus.
County Executive Sam Page announced Wednesday that starting Thursday, St. Louis County government will “begin serving its residents in innovative new ways by implementing social distancing measures and limiting access to county offices.”
So far, five people in the county have tested positive for the coronavirus, or COVID-19. Missouri had its first death Wednesday, of a person from Boone County.
Among the changes, public access to the county Government Center at 41 S. Central Ave. will be limited to the first floor only. Visitors will be screened for entry. Access to other county offices will be provided by drop boxes. Services like marriage licenses will be available with a worker behind a glass partition.
Some changes have already been implemented while others will be implemented in coming days.
“Our goal is to continue delivering as many county services as possible while protecting the public health and the health and wellbeing of county employees,” Page said in the news release. “We won’t be able to host big events or keep everything open to the public, but we are doing what we can.”
The new practices will include social distancing techniques in all offices, issuing marriage licenses and conducting notary oaths from behind a glass partition, and using drop boxes to limit face-to-face interaction.
The county also is suspending some operations that involve face-to-face interaction, with employees reassigned to help with the COVID-19 response.
The county also will begin screening visitors to county facilities.
In a previous executive order, Page initiated an employee leave policy that will remain in effect during the state of emergency. That policy is designed to ensure continued service delivery, limit COVID-19 spread, and ensure county employees can provide care and assistance to their “high risk” loved ones during this critical period.
• Many services are available online and over the phone. Visit St. Louis County’s website at www.stlouisco.com or call 314-615-5000.
• Starting tomorrow, only the street level of the county Administration Building at 41 S. Central will be open to the public. Drop boxes will be available for various county services, including:
o County assessor
o Office of Community Development
o Deeds and marriage licenses
o Parks Department
o Department of Planning
o Public Works permitting
o Collector of revenue
o Treasury (check or exact cash payment)
• Issuing marriage licenses and conducting notary oaths will be conducted at the entryway of the courts building at 105 S. Central.
Understanding that the situation is evolving, the public should visit www.stlcorona.com for a running list of in-person services and changes impacted by COVID-19.
