The Jefferson Police Department is operating as normal for the most part as the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic continues.

Police Chief Mark Clouse says the one change has been temporarily discontinuing assisting routine medical calls.

“Now having said that if it’s a life or death situation obviously we’re still going to show up on this (calls). But we normally try to assist our EMS (emergency medical services) calls on every call with lifting assistance, move some furniture, whatever we can do to help out. For the time being, with the social distancing recommendations, we’ve pulled back from that.”

Clouse notes one other adjustment they have made while continuing to practice social distancing.

“If we receive a complaint or a phone call on something that we feel we could probably, easily take care of over the phone, we’re obviously going to practice that at this point rather than stopping by your house. Obviously if it’s something where we need to come to your residence, we’re still doing that. If it’s something (like) a question or something kind of minor that we can handle with a phone call, we’re practicing that right now.”

Clouse adds they have been given protocols by the governor’s office as essential service employees if someone in the department shows signs of COVID-19 to follow. He notes the changes have been made to help prevent the virus from spreading and keep people safe.