(COLDWATER) – Branch County has some new progressive essential services.

Branch County Administrator Bud Norman says the services went into effect on Monday. The County will continue to provide services to their residents, however, all departments are working with reduced staff. This is being done to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Norman says it also allows for the rotation of team members to ensure the continuity of operations in the County.

Norman says the County had discussed the possibility of moving to the essential services, depending on if certain situations should happen. One is the State of Michigan announcing over 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The other was the number of deaths exceeding ten.

Norman says both elected and department officials were notified last week to begin initiating final plans for a potential, essential services scenario. Employees were notified Sunday that they needed to start the essential services when they reported to work on Monday.

Branch County buildings were closed to the public March 17.