Berrien County Board Meeting Cancelled

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The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has cancelled its meeting set for this week. Berrien County Administration has released the following statement:

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has cancelled their meetings for Thursday, March 26, 2020. The cancellation has been posted both on the buildings and on the website.

On Monday, March 23, 2020, Berrien County facilities closed to the public.  Many county services are still available via telephone, email, fax, and through the website. The County is committed to serving its residents to the greatest extent possible, especially during times of crisis. Residents may access a detailed contact list for the various departments on the Berrien County website at www.berriencounty.org. In addition, all departments have their own page within the website.

As directives regarding COVID-19 continue to evolve, Berrien County would like to provide the following reminders:

State of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer authorized Executive Order No. 2020-21 referred to as the “Stay Home Order” to go into effect on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and continues through April 13, 2020 at 11:59 a.m.  The order directs residents to remain at home or in their place of residence to the maximum extent feasible. The order is to prohibit in-person work that is not necessary to sustain or protect life. Subject to very few exceptions, all individuals currently living within the State of Michigan are ordered to stay at home.

 

It is important to practice social distancing by limiting in-person interaction in order to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in our region and ultimately, in order to save lives. Berrien County encourages all residents to continue taking individual precautions to protect their own health, the health of their families, and the County as a whole, in particular those at highest risk of serious illness.

Berrien County has been preparing for COVID-19 for weeks, and all individuals should continue to take the following basic personal-hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus:

  • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable;
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
  • avoid handshakes;
  • avoid contact with sick people who are sick; and stay home when you are sick.
  • practice social distancing, 6-feet away from people.

Residents who have COVID-19 related questions are encouraged to call the Berrien County Health Department Response Hotline at 1-800-815-5485.

Berrien County Animal Control Director Tiffany Peterson would like to remind residents that there is currently NO evidence stating COVID-19 can be transmitted to or from our pets or companion animals. Director Peterson encourages individuals to visit the following link from the CDC that references their Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQ page, that is specific to COVID-19 for our furry friends at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#animals. “We have received feedback about rumors related to pets.  The CDC FAQ webpage has a lot of great factual information to help give pet owners peace of mind,” said Director Peterson.

The Animal Control Department would like to encourage residents to have an emergency plan in place for their pets in case the resident does contract COVID-19 and is unable to take care of their pets and /or are hospitalized.  A recommended plan can be found on the Berrien County website, on the Animal Control page.  If you are in need of further information regarding sheltering your animals or other services currently being provided, residents are requested to call ahead to the Berrien County Animal Control Department at (269) 927-5648.