State and local reaction to COVID-19

Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Graphic. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)
File Photo

State officials have confirmed that COVID-19 has claimed the life of a Marion County resident.

The resident was over 60 years old and suffered from underlying medical conditions, putting them at a greater risk to both contract the virus and have a fatal outcome.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb has since ordered restaurants and bars to be closed to eat-in customers as an attempt to slow the spread of the virus in the state.

This follows the recent trends of schools, churches and athletic events being closed to limit human interaction to stop the possible spread of the virus.

Some local entities are doing their part to ensure Greene County residents stay healthy during this pandemic.

The Greene County Health Department would like to remind everyone to wash your hands with soap and warm running water, avoid touching your face, avoid handshakes and other non-essential physical contact, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home when you are sick or have a fever, wear a face mask if you are sick and clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces.

In addition, the Greene County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend no in-person events of more than 50 people.

Despite the growing concern over COVID-19, March is quickly becoming April which means tax time is fully upon us.

The Greene County Treasurers Office will remain open as long as the courthouse remains open to the public.

They do, however, recommend paying your taxes in a number of ways remotely in order to prioritize the health of the taxpayer.

Two ways taxpayers can pay remotely is by either paying online with an echeck or card at www.co.greene.in.us or paying through their automated phone system with an echeck or card. The number to call is 1-877-690-3729. The jurisdiction code is 2443. Both methods incur a $1.50 charge for echecks and 2.5% charge for debit and credit cards.

The other way to pay remotely is paying via mail at 1 East Main Street Room 130, Bloomfield, IN 47424. They will return a receipt if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is included with the payment.

The Director of Greene County EMA, Roger Axe, urges taxpayers to consider filing for an extension to file their taxes due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“An extension is good until Oct. 15,” Axe explained. “An extension is only to file a tax return not for payments due. Payment of taxes is due with the extension. Failure to pay with the extension will incur penalties and interest. All extensions must be filed by April 15.”

This story includes reports from The Associated Press.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: