Moody County closed the courthouse a week ago because of the threat of COVID-19.
Commission Chairman Carla Bruning and vice chairman Rick Veldkamp made the call, after commissioners approved them on Tuesday to make decisions for the county when it comes to the virus.
“We have decided to lock the doors of the courthouse to limit the exposure of employees and county residents,” a note posted on doors says. It also provides the numbers to each office so those who need to do business at the courthouse are able to call.
Most of the county’s work with the public can be done over the phone, through the mail or with a drop box, for now, said Marty Skroch, assistant to the commission and county human resources director. The one exception is marriage licenses because both parties have to be present to issue the license, but county employees will work to figure that out, he said.

Other counties in the area also have closed their courthouses, which are considered high-traffic areas, Skroch said. For now, county employees, with the exception of one, are working at their offices.
Skroch said no decision has been made on how to conduct a regularly-scheduled commission meeting at 9 a.m. April 7. Somehow, commissioners will need to approve payment of the county’s bills, at the very least.
Court and a grand jury were in session after the building closed. The court schedule is decided by the presiding judge.
The Moody County Resource Center has been closed since the Flandreau School District closed, and the Colman branch of the library also closed more recently.
Until the Flandreau library re-opens, curb-side pick-up will be available for materials being checked out. Patrons may call 997-3326, e-mail (Erica.Rorvik@k12.sd.us) or contact the library through Facebook from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to select items for pick-up, set-up a South Dakota Titles to Go/Libby account for free e-books and audiobooks for those who live in the county, or for any other questions.
Pick-up times will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Homebound patrons can call if they need materials to be delivered to their homes. Parents of school district students are encouraged to pick up books as well.  Moody County residents can be issued a library card simply by contacting the library.  Wi-fi also is available from the library parking lot.  
Phone numbers to reach the county departments can be found in an advertisement shown.