Wythe County officials declare state of emergency
WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County has declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 or
Coronavirus.
While Wythe County, at this time, does not have a recorded positive case of COVID-19, officials
understand the risk and severity of this situation and will continue to implement plans and provide
information for its citizens to help reduce the exposure and hopefully lessen the impact on the
community.
To better protect citizens, and to be able to properly utilize resources from the state and federal
government for Wythe County, officials have declared a state of emergency in Wythe County.
“Wythe County is asking citizens to help in the reduction of possible exposures and follow the guidance
set forth by the state and federal governments,” Emergency Services Coordinator Curtis Crawford said.
“Citizens looking for information can visit http://www.wytheco.org/ or our Facebook Pages Ready
Wythe County and Wythe County VA.”
Wythe County is declaring a State of Emergency as of today. This declaration will help streamline
decisions to keep our citizens safe and quicken our response. Wythe County can also request resources
quicker from the State and Federal government by declaring. This declaration also lets our citizens know
the seriousness of this emergency and helps us inform our county about exposure reduction.
The Governor of Virginia ordered yesterday in a declaration that all restaurants, fitness centers, and
theatres are mandated to significantly reduce seating capacity to 10 patrons or less; he encouraged
businesses to continue carry-out and pickup options. This also comes with a regulatory component and
could be a misdemeanor if not followed. This does not apply to Hospitals, Pharmacies, and
Manufacturing.
Both the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia have declared a State of
Emergency in order to protect their citizens, to broadcast more information, and to move the proper
resources to the affected areas.
Wythe County
Department of Public Information
340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382
Blake Stowers – (276) 223-4522
Wythe County is taking the proper precautions by keeping communication open with all our local
partners and implementing plans to reduce potential exposures to the coronavirus.
The Wythe County Administration building is operating as normal, but officials are asking citizens to help
limit potential exposure. For example, when paying utility bills, we would request that you please
telephone and pay via credit card, mail your payment, or use the overnight deposits box located next to
the County Administration entrance. Citizens wishing to make water payments via telephone should
call 276-223-4501.
If you plan to meet with someone, check to see if you might have a phone conversation or share
information over email or video chat in place of meeting them in person.
COVID-19 has been declared a world pandemic, and is novel disease that has resulted in death to our
most vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immune depressed.
For reliable information about COVID-19 please visit the following websites:
Virginia Department of Health http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novelcoronavirus/
Center of Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Virginia Department of Emergency Management https://www.vaemergency.gov/coronavirus
March 18, 2020 @ 7:11 pm
I know grocery stores are important at this time. I believe there should be some safety measures put in place.
#1. Staff that are stocking shelves should not be there during hrs of operation. That would eliminate the # of shoppers and staff being exposed.
#2. Maybe limit the number of people allowed in store at one time.
#3. Maybe some screening of shoppers before they enter the store. Temperatures and history.
It is quite frightening when the store is full of people coughing and commuting about the “flu” they have. Does the workers not deserve some protection?
March 20, 2020 @ 3:12 pm
Limit the amount of people in the store now that sounds like socialism.