County of Lexington officials have reopened portions of the County’s Administration building to the general public and are continuing to monitor the impact that COVID-19 is having on the Lexington County community and the services the County provides to its residents and visitors.

Residents will only be allowed access to floors one through four, which includes the County Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, Register of Deeds, GIS and Community Development & Building Permits offices. Public bathrooms will be made available on the first floor only.

Signs and markings on how foot traffic will move through the County’s Administration building, located at 212 S. Lake Drive, Lexington, S.C., are now in place to help direct the general public.

Although County staff will work their normal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule, the building will only be opened to the public between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so that thorough cleaning of public spaces can be conducted.

We encourage those that wish to conduct business with the County to do so through online portals via the County’s website and to call County departments for service. The drop box outside of the County’s Administration building can still be utilized for those that do not wish to come inside of the building.

Those that enter the building will be required to have their temperature read by temperature check stations, located inside of the building’s front doors. Anyone who displays a temperature of 100-degrees Fahrenheit or greater will not be allowed to continue inside of the building and will need to conduct their business over the phone or online.

Temperature check stations will soon be placed in all County facilities where the public enters to conduct business. Temperature readings are not recorded; this measure is a part of the effort to keep our residents and employees safe. CDC guidelines suggest that those who are symptomatic of the coronavirus have a higher chance of spreading the virus. Those that have a temperature of 100-degrees Fahrenheit or greater should seek medical attention from their healthcare provider.

Masks and gloves are not required for entry into any County facility, but they are encouraged in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Masks and gloves ARE REQUIRED to access files within the Register of Deed’s office.

Lexington County court operations are following all orders issued by Chief Justice Donald Beatty.

Lexington County Public Libraries are coordinating with the South Carolina State Library Board on how the County’s library branches will reopen to the public.

Operations for the Irmo-Chapin and Lexington County recreation commissions are not administered by the County of Lexington. The reopening of recreation-commission facilities are determined by the recreation commissions themselves.

We urge that all of our employees, residents and visitors continue to follow social distancing measures and abide by these hygienic habits to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus:

• Wash hands often
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

The County of Lexington will continue to provide essential services to its residents, but may continue to adjust how such services are provided. Should conditions change, the County will update local media and its residents through social media channels and on the County’s website.