HARTFORD, Ky. — The rising number of new COVID-19 cases and Ohio County’s status as a red zone county has pushed some state and local government offices to make some changes to better protect employees and the public at large.
The Ohio County Courthouse has announced it would be locked down and the public would have to call ahead before being allowed to visit the Ohio County Clerk’s Office, the Ohio County PVA’s Office and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office.
Now, the Ohio County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, inside the Ohio County Community Center, has also instituted some changes to better help protect employees and the public from COVID-19.
The following are changes implemented starting today, Nov. 16, 2020.
Beginning today, Nov, 16, 2020, there will be mop in-person court for District, Circuit and Family Court. Call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 270-298-3671 to provide your updated contact information so you may appear in court via telephone or video.
For those needing driver’s license help, if you have scheduled an appointment for a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday for the month of November, those appointments will be canceled. Call the office, at 270-298-3671, to discuss your situation and the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office will do what it can to help you.
The Kentucky State Police will continue to do testing tomorrow, Nov. 17, 2020. If you have an appointment this Tuesday, you will be permitted to appear in-person. Any testing after Nov. 17, 2020, will be decided later in the week. Any questions may be directed to the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Access to the Circuit Clerk’s Office will be limited to Emergency Filings only. All other filings or payments will need to be done through the mail, the dropbox on the front porch of the Community Center or electronically.
If you have any questions, call the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at 270-298-3671.
“Remember that all these restrictions are in place for your protection and safety as well as those of us in the office. These are difficult times and the changes from day to day can be frustrating,” said Ohio County Circuit Court Clerk Shannon Kirtley. “We are here to serve and help in any capacity we can, please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your understanding.”
A county is designated as a red zone county when the county reports more than 25 new daily cases of COVID-19 per every 100,000 people.