RUTLANDOHIO
Tyler M. Eblin, Mayor
CORONAVIRUS ALERTS AND UPDATES
Overview
The Village of Rutland is taking steps to reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in its community. Coronavirus disease, officially, “Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19” is a highly contagious and infectious respiratory disease caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2. Coronavirus is spread by respiratory droplets. When an individual speaks, coughs or sneezes, microscopic respiratory droplets are expelled from the mouth and nose and can be inhaled by those near the infected individual. This is why social distancing and wearing face coverings or masks is so very important. Coronavirus symptoms primarily include cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath.
If you are ill, please stay at home and rest until you are at least 72 hours without fever despite not taking fever reducing medications. If you develop symptoms of coronavirus, contact your medical provider or the health department. If an emergency arises, dial 9-1-1 or seek emergency medical care immediately.
Visit www.coronavirus.gov or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus to learn more about the virus, the disease that it causes and what you can do to stay healthy.
Stopping the Spread
Why Disinfecting, Masks and Social Distancing is Crucial
Studies suggests that COVID-19 can live on surfaces for hours to days. When an individual touches a surface that has viral particles of COVID-19 and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose, he or she is exposing him or herself to the virus.
Thoroughly washing your hands for a sufficient amount of time (studies suggest that 20 seconds or more is most effective) breaks up the viral particles and makes them ineffective at infection.
Frequently disinfecting commonly touched surfaces provides extra protection by breaking up viral particles and rendering the virus ineffective.
Because COVID-19 is transmitted so easily by way of respiratory droplets (mucus or saliva), wearing a mask is crucial at preventing droplets from landing on a surface or on someone's face while you talk, cough or sneeze, where the droplets can be inhaled or ingested. A mask does not protect you; in fact, only an N95 respirator is most effective at protecting against the inhalation of COVID-19, however, wearing a mask protects others around you, because it stops your respiratory droplets from landing on others.
An individual wearing a mask protects you.
The same individual is protected when you also wear a mask.
Social distancing provides enough distance to prevent any respiratory droplets not caught by a mask from landing onto an individual and being inhaled or ingested. The rule of thumb is six feet as most droplets fall to the ground within six feet.
Civic Center Usage and Visitation
The Rutland Civic Center and Municipal Building is open for visitors; however, measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are in place.
All visitors must first sign-in when entering the lobby and utilize the alcohol-based hand sanitizer made available.
In response to recent public health orders, facial coverings and or masks are required to be worn by visitors. Staff will wear a facial covering or mask when interacting with others.
Use of the auditorium is limited to social gatherings which are currently allowable by the Ohio Department of Health, which include contact sports events (i.e. practices and tournaments, with limitations), weddings and funerals.
For meetings, refer to the Public Meetings section.
Park Usage and Visitation
The Jim Vennari Park is open for public use; however, the Village of Rutland is asking that those who are ill refrain from visiting the Park and a restriction on shelter house gatherings is currently in effect. Permits to utilize the shelter house for a social gathering involving greater than 10 people will not be issued.
Also, signage has been posted to practice social distancing and utilize hand sanitizer prior to and after enjoying the playground areas. The public is advised that park equipment and shelter house tables are not routinely cleaned or disinfected.
Mayor's Court
The procedure on arraignments, compliance review, trials and sentencing has changed to ensure proper steps are taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
All defendants attending Mayor's Court must enter through the main lobby of the Rutland Civic Center and register upon the defendant registration form provided. A mask will be given and defendants will be asked to utilize the alcohol based hand sanitizer provided.
Defendants will wait in the main lobby where social distancing can be maintained. The bailiff will call each defendant individually to appear before the Mayor.
After concluding their case, all defendants will be directed to exit through the exit door in the Mayor's Office.
Public Meetings
Meetings of public bodies of the Village of Rutland will continue; however, similar to usage and visitation of the Rutland Civic Center, measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are in place.
All public meetings of the Rutland Village Council and boards, committees and commissions of the Village of Rutland are limited to members of the Village Council and respective board, committee or commission.
All public meetings will be streamed live via Facebook LIVE online at www.facebook.com/villageofrutland. A Facebook account is not required to access live-streamed meetings. Questions that would be ordinarily asked of a public body may be submitted to the Mayor or chairperson of the appropriate public body prior to the date and time at which the meeting is to begin.
Resources and Other Information
COVID-19 Support and Prevention Blessing Basket Distribution Program
The Village of Rutland is partnering with the Meigs County Health Department in the distribution of 25 blessing baskets that contain supportive and prevention items that help give relief to the effects of COVID-19. A basket may be obtained from the Rutland Civic Center / Village Hall every Monday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Healthy Business Program
The Village of Rutland is taking steps to assist businesses and organizations within the community to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More than $4,400 has been appropriated from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to purchase hand hygiene supplies and personal protective equipment for businesses and guests. Please, contact the Rutland Mayor's Office by telephone at (740) 742 2121 for more information.
Learn More About COVID-19
Learn more about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), including ways to protect yourself, what to do if you become sick, current case information, and more by visiting www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Learn More About Ohio's Response to COVID-19
Learn more about Ohio's response to COVID-19, including ResponsibleRestart initiatives, public health orders, current case information, and more by visiting www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Report Violations of Public Health Orders
Report violations of public health orders and other health violations to the Meigs County Health Department by calling (740) 992 6626. Please, do not dial 9-1-1, nor contact the Rutland Police Department to report violations of public health orders and other health violations.
Together, we can prevent COVID-19.
Do your part in preventing COVID-19 by:
Avoiding large social gatherings.
Frequently wash or sanitize hands for at least 20 seconds.
Practice social distancing.
Staying home if you are sick.
Wear a mask when social distancing is difficult or impossible.