County announces updates on operational changes
Harnett County continues to work with state officials and local agencies to closely monitor the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of 5pm on March 18, 2020, Harnett County has not had any new COVID-19 presumptive positive cases. Currently, there are four residents of Harnett County who have tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.
Operational Updates
The safety and security of our Harnett County employees and citizens is our top priority. At this time, all County departments will remain operational; however, we are limiting non-essential programming in compliance with State and Federal recommendations. The following county-wide operational changes have been implemented:
- County offices will continue to operate normal hours of operation unless otherwise communicated.
- All out of county travel for employees other than those in Public Safety and HARTS has been cancelled through March 31.
- Public access to citizens at County buildings will be limited. Citizens are asked to contact county staff by phone prior to traveling to County offices. A full list of county contacts can be found at harnett.org/department-index.asp.
- All non-essential meetings across County departments have been cancelled.
Listed below are the department operational change updates for March 18, 2020.
Register of Deeds
The Harnett County Register of Deeds is encouraging citizens to use our online services for real estate documents, marriage licenses, vital records requests or to call the office at 910-893-7540 to set up an appointment. Public access to the office will only be allowed by appointment for certain services. For more information, visit: http://www.harnett.org/deeds/.
Harnett County Public Library
The Harnett County Public Library, located at 601 S. Main Street, Lillington, will be closed for public access, Starting March 19, the Library will offer curbside pickup where citizens can request materials and schedule pick up in front of the library. Patrons must call 910-893-3446 and schedule a time for Curbside Pickup. Items will not be released without an appointment. Citizens can also access free online library resources at www.harnett.org/library.
Animal Services
Animal sheltering operations will continue in order to provide appropriate care for all animals currently in the facility and facilitate adoptions, return to owners, and rabies vaccinations. To reduce the overall number of people in our shelter, animal services will conduct all pet redemption, adoptions, and rabies shots by appointment only and with strict cleaning protocol for public areas of the shelter. To schedule an appointment to redeem an owned animal, view if your pet is currently in our shelter, adopt an animal, or schedule a rabies vaccine, please call 910-814-2952.
Animal intake and field services will be limited to all high priority/emergency situations which include law enforcement assist, sick and injured animals, animal cruelty, animal bites and dangerous/aggressive dog complaints. For all priority/emergency situations, our field services department can be reached by calling 910-893-0800 from 8am-5pm on Monday-Friday and by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 910-893-9111 after hours and on weekends.
Harnett Area Rural Transit System (HARTS)
Effective March 20, 2020, staff will begin instituting changes in scheduling and transportation. Until further notice, HARTS will prioritize the scheduling of transportation by: Life essential medical transportation (dialysis, chemo, cardiac and at-risk pediatric care); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (approved Medicaid transportation requests for medical treatment); Requests for essential trips to grocery store, pharmacies and other nutritional purposes. For the safety of employees, citizens utilizing transportation from HARTS will be asked a series of questions. Transportation can be scheduled by contacting the HARTS office at 910-814-4019.
Prevention Tips
Although your risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low, the county’s public health team encourages you to protect yourself from COVID-19 and any other flu-like illness by following these simple steps:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds at a time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Staying Informed
Citizens are asked to prepare for COVID-19 by getting the latest information directly from reliable sources. The COVID-19 outbreak has been accompanied by a flood of misinformation from unreliable sources. Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before you act.
