Town of Black Mountain updates COVID-19 policies

Proof of vaccination for employees required; masks mandatory for public meetings

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 10, 2021

The Town of Black Mountain will require employees to show proof of vaccination or be tested weekly for COVID-19, following a directive from Mayor Larry Harris that was affirmed by the town council, Aug. 9. Photo by Fred McCormick

Employees of the Town of Black Mountain will be required to show proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or be tested weekly for the virus, following a directive from Mayor Larry Harris. 

The policy, which was supported unanimously by the town council in its Aug. 9 regular monthly meeting, mandates that unvaccinated staff wear masks when working. 

The mandate is similar to one enacted earlier this month by Buncombe County officials, and will be effective, Wednesday, Aug. 11. The new safety guidelines will be reviewed in September. 

The mayor’s directive, which was issued Aug. 9 to town manager Josh Harrold, closes town offices to the public. 

“The doors will be locked but we’ll serve the public’s needs,” Harris said. “We’ll work by appointments and through calling a posted number for entry, as we have done in the past.”

Town employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination to Harrold, who will keep those confidential records in the respective personnel files. 

“The objective there is to allow the town manager and personnel director to better manage employee safety,” Harris said. 

Non-vaccinated employees of the town will be required to wear masks when working, and all staff are instructed to utilize masks when interacting with the public. Masks will be mandatory for everyone who attends public meetings, following a policy passed by the town council, Aug. 5.

The town’s golf course, community garden and other facilities will remain open to the public.

“We ask members of the public to use a mask or face covering if they are not vaccinated,” Harris said. 

The mayor’s guidelines were affirmed by the town council through a vote of 5-0. 

“We are still in an emergency declaration here in Black Mountain, and as of now it hasn’t been rescinded,” Harrold told the mayor and town council. “At this point, it’s completely up to the council and mayor if you want to stay under this emergency order.”

The local state of emergency declaration, originally signed in March of 2020, authorizes the mayor to take actions “necessary and appropriate to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled, and that residents and visitors of Buncombe County and the Town of Black Mountain will remain safe and secure.”

The town currently requires staff who test positive for the virus to take sick leave for 10 - 14 days, depending upon the presence of symptoms, according to Harrold. Employees can return to work when symptoms have subsided. Coworkers who have been in close proximity to those who test positive for the virus are sent home and tested for COVID-19.