Camden, Tenn.–Due to multiple positive COVID-19 cases among employees in the Benton County Courthouse, the county will shut down most offices until Monday, November 30th.
Benton County Mayor Brett Lashlee said, “The limited offices that will remain open (Clerk & Master) will do so in a limited capacity as they will accept phone, email or lockbox drop-off items.”
In a letter to county employees drafted today, Lashlee said, “The remaining business offices need to close to public traffic due to the exposure your employees have had to other courthouse employees that have tested positive. I urge the office holders in the courthouse to monitor your staff closely and urge isolation and testing if symptoms of any kind present themselves. In essence, we are closing 5 business days as two days next week were already designated for Thanksgiving holidays.”
Lashlee said the closure of the courthouse does not prevent employees from working from home or virtually if that capability is there.
“If you have tested positive, or if you are showing symptoms and have not gotten a test – DO NOT attempt to enter the courthouse until you have quarantined/isolated the proper amount of days or give the ‘all clear’ from TN Dept of Health,” Lashlee said.
Lashlee said to department officials who are not based out of the courthouse, “We ask that you be diligent in monitoring your operating environment. We will begin seeing increased cases not only amongst our citizens, but within our workforce as well. I leave it to your best leadership and supervisory discretion to know what is best for you and the employees under your control. The Mayor’s office is there to advise and support you in every way possible.”
Lashlee concluded, “THANK YOU in advance for the patience and understanding you are showing during these trying times. I predict things will get worse on our operating environments, stress levels both mentally and physically, and our customer-citizens and we just have to do the best we can do and get through this together.”