Jackson County

• Gatherings of 10 or more people are now banned in Jackson County and close-contact businesses and lodging facilities ordered to close following a supplemental declaration of a local state of emergency County Commission Chairman Brian McMahan issued Monday, March 23. The order becomes effective Wednesday, March 25.

• On March 23, a part-time Jackson County resident tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is in isolation and a household member is in self-quarantine in Jackson County. Becuase the person is a part-time resident, the case will be identified in their home state and not as a North Carolina case. 
• A State of Emergency was declared on Monday, March 16.
• Jackson County Public Schools are closed, but school buses are still running to deliver free breakfast and lunch for children ages 1 to 18. Buses will be at each morning stop within 15 minutes of the expected arrival time. Students who don’t ride a school bus must request meal delivery through an online form at www.jcpsnc.org. No signup is necessary for bus riders. Call Ashley Taylor with questions at 828.575.1403.
• The Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority has suspended all disconnections for nonpayment. Customers who have previously been disconnected can have their services restored without first paying otherwise required deposits, fees and past due balances. TWSA offices are closed to the public — customers can pay online, by mail or by phone. www.twsanc.us.
• SCC has transitioned all classes to online and distance learning, and classes that must be conducted in person will be rescheduled for a later date. Updates are posted at www.southwesterncc.edu/news/college-update-regarding-coronavirus.
• WCU has transitioned all classes to online and distance learning, and on-campus residents have been asked to leave unless granted a special exception by the university. Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 8-9 will be postponed, with rescheduling plans announced April 3. Updates are posted at www.wcu.edu/coronavirus/index.aspx.
• Visitor centers in Sylva and Dillsboro are closed to the public through at least March 26. The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority will reassess the situation at that time. Kiosks around town will be stocked with information, and an update page is available at www.discoverjacksonnc.com/tda-docs/covid-19-information. A website focusing on supporting the local economy during this crisis has been created at www.lovejacksonnc.com.
• Southwestern Community College will host webinars addressing the questions and concerns of small business owners. "Preparing Your Business for the Threat of Coronavirus" will be 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25; "Best Practices for Communicating with Customers and Employees in Light of COVID-19" will be 9:30 to 10:30 Thursday, March 26; "Prepare Your Business to Borrow Money Now Before Negative Economic Shifts" will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 31. Find out more at southwesterncc.edu/sbc or contact Tiffany Henry at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.339.4426.
• The Cashiers Permit Office is closed. A drop box on the covered front porch will be monitored daily, and in-person meetings can be requested by calling 828.745.6850.
• The Jackson County Public Library is closed.
• Services at the Jackson County Department on Aging have been impacted. For more information, call 828.586.5494, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Jackson County Parks and Recreation facilities in Cullowhee and Cashiers are closed.
• The Sylva Town Hall lobby is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for essential services, but citizens are encouraged to communicate via email or phone call to 828.586.2719. A drop box is available at the front corner of town hall to limit exposure. A budget meeting slated for Thursday, March 26, is cancelled.
• Poteet Park and Bryson Park in Sylva are closed. No pavilion reservations will be granted. 828.586.2719.
• Harris Regional Hospital is not allowing visitation at this time, except in some limited situations. Entry is limited to the main lobby or west entrance, with the emergency entrance available for patients only. Anybody entering the facility will be screened with questions regarding respiratory symptoms and travel history. Patients who raise concern will be immediately provided masks and managed per CDC guidelines.