Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Elkins

The state of West Virginia and the City of Elkins remain under declared states of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although states of emergency do not automatically impose any restrictions on businesses or the public, certain additional city and state orders affecting businesses and the public remain in effect.

Please read on to learn more about:

• Steps being taken to limit the spread of COVID-19
• What local and state orders remain in effect
• What guidelines are available to help you keep yourself and your community as safe as possible
• Trustworthy sources of information about the virus and response efforts and recommendations

How You Can Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Elkins

• Pay utility bills by mail, phone, online, or by using the drop box behind city hall
• Put out items for collection by the Sanitation Department only in tied trash bags
• Follow public health orders and the governor’s guidelines (available here)
• Stay at home/work from home as much as possible
• Maintain a six-foot distance from people outside your household
• Wear a mask inside stores and wherever distancing is difficult

Local Pandemic Response Actions

• City hall reopens Monday, May 18, 8am-4:30pm (click here to learn what to expect when you visit)
• Spring Cleanup is postponed indefinitely
• The Sanitation Department can accept only items contained in tied trash bags
• Per the mayor, yard, garage, and similar sales and door-to-door solicitation are allowed again as of Friday, May 15
• There are new safety rules for council and committee meetings

“Reopening” and “Safer at Home”

Governor Justice’s plan for “reopening”—or gradually reducing pandemic-related restrictions—”West Virginia Strong: The Comeback,” has been underway since May 5, 2020. (Review the plan here.) The governor has also replaced his Stay at Home order with a Safer at Home order.

Pandemic statistics are updated daily on the W. Va. DHHR coronavirus page. The West Virginia Department of Education’s COVID-19 school reentry map is here.

The governor holds a daily live briefing that may be viewed on his YouTube channel. Typically, each Monday, the governor announces the restrictions that will be reduced the following Monday. The governor’s office posts additional information on his website.

Other Local Agencies

City officials are in touch with the Randolph County Health Department (RCHD), the Randolph County Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (formerly RC OEM), Davis Medical System, Randolph County Board of Education (RC BOE), and others as we track this fluid situation. We will continue to consult with these and state authorities as this situation evolves.

How to Stay Up to Date

• Governor Jim Justice’s Twitter feed
• Text/email Nixle alerts from Randolph County Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 
• Text/email Nixle alerts from City of Elkins (separate registration from above): send email with mobile number or email address to ElkinsNixle@cityofelkinswv.com
• Elkins City Hall Facebook page
• Elkins City Hall Twitter feed
• Elkins City Hall email alerts (sign up for our Newsletter by entering your email address below)

General Information and Guidance

To accurately assess risk and make the best possible preparations, it is important to rely on scientific, evidence-based information from public health authorities.

Don’t rely on media reports or pay attention to rumors on social media; instead, go right to the source.

The most authoritative sources of information about COVID-19 are:

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

Here are some additional local resources:

• Davis Health System COVID-19 page
• Randolph County Health Department (RCHD)
• Randolph County Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Randolph County Board of Education