MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Clerk’s Office is reopening with new policies in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert says the offices will be reopening next week with a “modified schedule.”
Halbert says they will be decreasing the number of employees at their offices by about 50 percent in order to keep them sufficiently distanced. However, this could lead to longer wait times.
Only two of the five people who normally process driver’s licenses at the downtown office will be able to work under the modified re-opening plan.
“During the last few weeks of COVID, it’s been taking from one, three, maybe four hours and with two that’s gonna seriously delay the time,” Halbert said. “Of course this is going to be stressful, to not only the citizens, but especially to the employees.”
The downtown clerk’s office building, as well as its satellite locations, were closed due to a COVID-19 exposure.
Halbert says the clerk’s office is asking customers to complete some renewal services online to prevent long lines outside of the building.
She is asking customers to be patient during this time.
“It is going to be a different experience,” Halbert said. “Not because we want it to be, but because it has to be.”
Halbert says all of the clerk’s office staff will be tested. She says they are currently locating at new locations for the clerk’s office.