The Morgan County Courthouse was closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23 and will not be open to the general public, county officials have announced.
Access to offices in the Morgan County Courthouse is by appointment only as of Tuesday morning.
“If you need to conduct NECESSARY business with one of our offices, please call the appropriate number to make an appointment. Someone will be able to assist you in determining if there are alternative means for you to conduct your business or assist you in making an appointment,” a release said.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s office is also closed to the public, as of Tuesday.
Public fountains at Berkeley Springs State Park are closed and taped off.
Court proceedings are under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Supreme Court, which has suspended all but emergency hearings.
A growing list
The list of public facilities and offices that are closed now in response to the spread of coronavirus is very long. In general, the public should check with businesses and offices to see if they are operating and how. Below are some of the notices we’ve received about restrictions or closures.
State park buildings at Cacapon and Berkeley Springs State Park, are closed to the public. Outdoor trails are open.
Town of Bath municipal buildings are closed to the public. So are public libraries, local Senior Centers and, of course, public schools. The Boys & Girls Club is also closed.
As of Tuesday night, non-essential businesses were also supposed to cease operations across West Virginia.
No visitors
For the safety of patients, visitors, staff and the broader community, Valley Health has suspended visitation at its six hospitals effective Wednesday, March 18. War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs is one of those facilities affected.
Visitors will no longer be allowed at Long Term Care Units at War Memorial Hospital, and all Valley Health hospitals. The Valley Health Wellness Center in Berkeley Springs is also closed except to limited rehab patient appointments.
There will be exceptions at Winchester Medical Center for the Labor & Delivery and Mother-Baby units, Pediatrics and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
At all hospitals, visitation exceptions for approved Care Partners and end-of-life and other situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the clinical administrator.
“We understand that staying in touch with loved ones is vitally important so please consider using other methods to show you care, including a mailed card, telephone, email, text and Skype,” said hospital officials.
Nursing home, Hospice
Visitors will no longer be allowed at the Berkeley Springs Center nursing home and rehab center.
Visitors will only be permitted at the Hospice of the Panhandle’s facility in Kearneysville if they are visiting imminently dying patients. Visitors will be screened for fever, other symptoms and travel to affected countries.
State, fed offices
Social Security offices will no longer be open to the public. Many services are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
The public can reach Social Security offices by phone for critical needs. Deadlines are being extended for a number of Social Security functions.
DMV offices shut
West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regional officers are closed, as of March 19. A list of full online services can be found at dmv.wv.gov. DMV can also be reached by phone at 1-800-642-9066. The DMV is extending the expiration of any driver’s license, permit or vehicle registration with an expiration in March or April 2020 for three months from the date of the expiration on the face of the document. The DMV will continue to renew those items online.
