The chief executive of Pulaski County has extended his orders to close county buildings through Oct. 4 while the covid-19 pandemic continues.
Barry Hyde, county judge of Pulaski County, announced the new executive order Thursday, which stretches out the restrictions by an additional 13 weeks.
He pointed out that since the first order was made March 13, it has been extended several times.
The order means keeping all county buildings, including the courthouse where Hyde works, closed to the general public through the duration of the new timeline.
"All county-paid personnel shall remain working remotely to the extent that their supervisor determines that they are productive and effective in their remote work," he stated. "If county-paid personnel are unable to work remotely or are ineffective or unproductive in their remote work, then they may only report to their place of work on a schedule as determined by their supervisor."
He stated that the Pulaski County Administration Building, courthouse, Regional Building, prosecutor's office and District Court-Juvenile Justice Complex would "remain in operation" with access restricted to employees assigned to or conducting business in each building, and to the public conducting "emergency business" in those facilities.
Those who do enter must undergo temperature checks and will be refused entry if their body temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Additionally, social distancing and masks are mandatory and congregations of 10 or more people on county property, even outside, are prohibited.
"Wearing a mask has become and is now an essential element to being hospitable, caring for your neighbor and protecting the health, safety and well-being of others," Hyde wrote, adding that wearing a mask is "exhorted in the strongest possible terms."
The previous extension, announced June 12, was scheduled to expire today.
Thursday was not the first time Hyde has made a public statement urging people to use caution during the covid-19 emergency.
"Now is not the time for the residents of this great county to let down our guard," he stated last month to residents on an email distribution list. "Now is the time to show that we are united in our efforts to mitigate the spread of this horrible virus. If this virus has taught us anything it is that we are not invincible."