The crew working the Oconee County solid waste collecting and recycling sites were recently sent home for quarantine as a precaution after a county official said they came in contact with a person who tested positive for the coronavirus.

“They will most likely return to work depending on actions that happen over the next few days,” Oconee County Commission Chairman John Daniell said Monday.

“We don’t have any employees that have tested positive,” he said.

After that contact was determined, Daniell said officials tracked down all locations the person had visited. This was followed by a deep cleaning of the sites and the decision to switch the sites to self-service on a limited schedule.

According to the county website, the locations will be open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in an effort to limit contact between sanitation personnel and the public.

Pay-As-You-Throw bags will not be available at the sites, but are at local grocery and convenience stores.

“Please do not leave trash or other items outside the gate when the sites are closed,” officials requested. Residents are asked to make sure they separate their household trash from the recycling bins.

Also, the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department has announced that the landfill off Lexington Road is open for business, but is taking cash only at the scales.

The landfill closed over the weekend.