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ELKINS -- City employees' exposure to COVID-19 is creating problems for both the City of Elkins and the City of Buckhannon.
In Elkins, city garbage collection is being disrupted due to quarantined employees, officials said.
"Garbage pickup in Elkins may be delayed or disrupted over the next few weeks due to personnel shortages resulting in part from exposures to the COVID-19 virus," a City of Elkins press release stated Monday.
Operations Manager Bob Pingley said four of the sanitation department's five drivers are currently in quarantine, and the department is missing three loaders.
"To maintain our regular level of service, I've pulled employees from three other departments to work as drivers and loaders," said Pingley. "These are some of our best employees and will do all that they can, but unfortunately they just do not know these routes like our regular drivers do."
Pingley admitted not all garbage may be collected on time or as usual by the city.
"We'll do our best to get all garbage picked up on schedule, but there are inevitably going to be some hiccups as we go along," he said in the press release. "We ask for everyone's patience and understanding as we work through this unprecedented situation."
Meanwhile in Upshur County, officials announced Buckhannon City Hall will be closed for at least Monday and Tuesday due to a COVID-19 staff exposure.
"Staff is undergoing testing and following quarantine procedures and will follow CDC and local health department guidelines for essential workers," a City of Buckhannon press release stated Monday.
Buckhannon officials pointed out that residents can still conduct city business using online and phone services.
Utilities can be paid by calling 1-866-933-4026, paying online or dropping a payment in the dropbox behind City Hall.
Service requests for the Waste Department and Streets and Parks Department can be made online using the iWorq Citizen Engagement app at http://buckhannonwv.org/residents/citizen-engagement/.
Online utility payments can be made at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/buckhannonwv.
A Citizen Engagement Tool for city service requests can be found at http://buckhannonwv.org/residents/citizen-engagement/.
Buckhannon officials in the press release thanked residents "for your patience while we follow the recommended health guidelines for our staff."