Several area government bodies are closing off in-person access to board meetings in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

On Thursday, the city of Marshall announced that Mayor Bob Byrnes determined that in-person city council meetings are not practical because of the outbreak. The city said today’s special meeting at noon and Tuesday’s regular meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. will be moved to the MERIT Center on Erie Road with telephone and electronic participation by council members.

The public is encouraged to practice social distancing by watching the council Meetings by accessing the following links:

• Online at http://marshallstudio1tv.com/studio1live

• Charter 180 / Vast 17

• Roku/AppleTV in the Cablecast ScreenWeave app

Future city council Meeting locations will be determined by the city council at the March 24 city council meeting.

Murray County on Thursday announced that the government center is now closed to the public and the public will be able to listen to Tuesday’s board of commissioner’s meeting by phone. People can call 513-386-0000 and enter access code 476511#.

Lincoln County Courthouse is also closed to the public, according to its website. Yellow Medicine County is discouraging the public from making non-essential visits to court facilities during the outbreak, according to its website.

And the city of Tyler released a statement announcing that all city facilities will be closed to visitors and all business with the exception of driver vehicle services.

The city also:

• Encourages customers to make payments online using a credit or debit card by visiting https://www.govpaynow.com/gps/user/plc/4909.  To make payment over the phone using a credit or debit card, customers may call 507-247-5556. City Hall also has a drop box in the front of the building for customers wishing to make payment using cash, check or money order. To the extent possible, the city also encourages customers to conduct any other business over the phone by calling 507-247-5556 or by emailing cityadmin@heartlandpower.org.

• It remains committed to providing the community with the services they expect and need. That includes services from the Tyler Police Department, Tyler Fire Department, Public Works and Utilities, and all other staff who are ready to assist you remotely.