How ‘social distancing’ works when you pay a bill, adopt a dog or call an ambulance
It’s not just individuals who are “social distancing” in response to the spread of the coronavirus in South Carolina. So are government agencies.
If you have a utility bill to pay or a business permit to apply for, government offices in the Midlands would prefer if you picked up the phone or sent an email rather than stop by in person.
The city of Columbia’s water department has several options for people to make payments — by phone, by mail, online or even the drop box outside its Washington Street office. Just don’t come inside; the payment center is closed to the public.
In fact, access to all city buildings has been restricted, and Columbia employees are working staggered schedules or telecommuting to limit the spread of the virus.
Even if you don’t think you can pay your bill this month, don’t worry. Water and sewer terminations have been postponed.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said he was aware people are weary of all the changes coronavirus has wrought, but in a statement this week, the mayor sought to assure residents these measures are necessary.
“After speaking with local leaders from cities across the country, and especially those in cities and municipalities that are already heavily impacted by the outbreak, the isolation and quarantine steps we are asking of everyone are the best and most proven measures to reduce the spread of the disease,” Benjamin said in a statement this week.
Similarly, all business license applications are being taken by mail. Permit, license and parking fees can be made online or by phone.
Among all the other changes the virus is making to how people live their lives, it’s also changed the criteria police use to respond to calls (only emergencies will get an in-person response) and the number of available parking spaces around town, with some spots reserved for take-out customers at now empty restaurants.
And closures aren’t limited to Columbia. Lexington is also restricting access to its town hall, and the Lexington 1 school district is now asking people to call instead of visit its buildings. Forest Acres is postponing any late fees for business license and hospitality tax payments until June 1, in line with delays for filing state and federal taxes.
The federal and state governments are also getting involved. Social Security offices are closed to the public and only handling business by phone or online. The S.C. Education Lottery Claims Center is closed and only processing claims for prizes between $500 and $100,000 by mail.
Don’t worry if your lucky winning ticket has an expiration date. Like everything else, those tickets will be extended.
Richland County is also asking people to stay away from its buildings, delaying water disconnections while public works, waste and recycling services continue.
County Administrator Leonardo Brown said the county’s emergency medical services may be delayed in response times during peak hours, and in certain cases, EMS workers may take extra time to enter buildings while putting on protective gear.
Under the county’s response plan released last week, county employee travel is restricted to “high-risk areas,” and any county employee returning from travel will be required to work remotely until it’s certain they are not sick.
Department heads are to report to the county director daily on conditions, and coordinate a “continuity of operations” plan. Events or meetings not required by law should be canceled, and Richland County Council should consider an emergency declaration.
But it’s unclear how strictly those rules are being enforced. After the plan was presented to county council members last week, a public informational meeting on the county’s greenway program went ahead at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. A county spokesperson told The State last week the county has not canceled any meetings due to the coronavirus.
The county has suspended all jury trials and restricted access to the Richland County Judicial Center. S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty said that was in response to someone in the courthouse having “indirect contact” with the coronavirus.
Starting Friday, county buildings will be closed to the public, and nonessential county staff will be sent home, Brown said, citing the recent appearance of coronavirus cases in Richland County.
Not all services are being disrupted. Trash collection in Columbia is going ahead on schedule, and water line leak repair, restoration and sewer call response will continue, but on a prioritized basis. There may be a delayed response for minor issues, the city said in a statement.
But the fire department will now respond only to medical calls of an acute nature, such as heart attacks or someone not breathing, while coordinating its coronavirus response with EMS and local hospitals. The Columbia Animal Shelter is operating by appointment only, and no more than five members of the public will be allowed in the building at one time.
It’s not just buildings that are being affected. The city has closed all its parks, along with all after school programs and any activities at its athletic fields. While many events have been canceled due to the spread of the virus, the city has asked permitted events to cancel or postpone.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 9:52 AM.
.jpg)