Delaware County and the city of Muncie have issued a joint disaster emergency declaration that is closing more services to the public to help combat the spread of COVID-19.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Officials say all local barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms, recreational sports facilities, indoor play areas, private clubs, and fraternal organizations will be closed to the public.

All city and county offices are also closed, with public business being conducted by appointment only.  For court matters, only those with scheduled court hearings, those subpoenaed, or attorneys for those people will be allowed into the Justice Center and City Hall.

Read the Joint Disaster Emergency Declaration [PDF]

In a joint statement, city and county officials say the declaration was made “to protect the health and lives” of local citizens.  They also say they’re acting out of compassion, not out of fear.

READ MORE: What Do You Need To Know About Coronavirus? We’ve Got Answers.

The Muncie Public Library says it will also close all buildings to the public “until further notice.”  Officials there say the move comes from a recommendation from the American Library Association.  The library writes on Facebook, “It is a tough decision for an organization whose employees see, on a daily basis, the equalizing force that libraries provide in the form of resources, information, and connectivity in a world where a literacy divide and digital divide exist.”