Richmond Co. municipal building; CIGO file photo
Officials with another local municipality are closing their offices to members of the public.
It comes as COVID-19 case numbers explode across the province.
Richmond Co. councillors made the decision at April’s regular municipal council meeting Monday night, which was held virtually for the same reason, a first for members of this council.
After, Amanda Mombourquette, the municipality’s warden, said it’s to protect the health and safety of their staff members.
“(It’s) similar to how we had to pivot here and, for the sake of everyone’s safety, conduct an online meeting,” she says. “I know we would prefer to be in-person together.”
Mombourquette said councillors approved a two-week closure, with plans to reassess at that time.
Don Marchand, the chief administrative officer of Richmond Co. who made the recommendation, said it comes down to safety.
“We do feel that since we’re having meetings via Zoom, that it would likely be prudent to restrict the public from coming into the municipal building.”
Marchand said staff members will continue to work in the office.
Municipal officials in Guysborough and Inverness have also closed their offices to members of the public; Guysborough for two weeks, Inverness until it’s deemed safe to re-open.
