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LANETT — The Lanett City Council had its second virtual meeting Monday evening. The first one took place on April 6, and both took place this month due to the social distancing recommendations made due to the spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Kyle McCoy said that he had gotten a good response from citizens for turning the downtown fountain blue. It will be jetting blue water through the month of May in support of Gov. Kay Ivey’s campaign to display blue ribbons of hope across the state until the danger is over.

With more than 250 positive cases and 15 deaths, Chambers County has been especially hard hit by the virus.

“Those numbers are staggering,” the mayor said. “This is a very difficult time for us all, especially with the beautiful weather we had today and everything turning green. Let’s stay wise and maintain social distancing, wash our hands thoroughly and often, use hand sanitizer and stay home as much as possible. This virus can come back on us if we are not careful.”

McCoy said it was okay to make trips to the grocery story, to the drive-in windows at fast food restaurants, to the pharmacy and other essential trips but that safety had to be foremost.

“For now, let’s continue to be diligent,” he said. “We are not yet out of the woods. It can hit us again fast if we are not careful.”

Until the current order from Gov. Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris is revised, the city park will remain closed. City hall will remain closed to the public through April 30. Utility payments can be made at the drive-in window.

“It’s now open for the staff,” McCoy said.

It was closed for several days after three employees tested positive. The building was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized over a four-day period, including the weekend.

Council Member Angelia Thomas said the city wouldn’t be cutting off utility customers through the crisis, but that it’s still best for customers to be current on paying their bills at the drive-in window or at the drop box in the off hours. Thomas and council members Tony Malone and Charles Looser echoed the mayor’s comments in urging everyone to be safe and follow the state guidelines.

McCoy said he was pleased to have had some of the city’s first responders at last week’s fountain ceremony.

“Our police officers and our firefighters do so much in protecting the city, and its citizens,” he said. “Everyone in this city should be grateful in the way they continue to do a first-rate job despite the danger that’s out there now.”

The council approved a proclamation recognizing the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. City Clerk Deborah Gilbert read aloud the text of the proclamation, noting that it’s important to raise public awareness and to support ways of preventing it.

“If affects everyone in the community,” the proclamation reads. “One of every five women and one out of every 67 men will experience it in their lifetimes. One in every four girls and one in every six boys will experience it. Each one of us can be part of creating change for the better.”

The next council meeting will be taking place on Monday, May 4. McCoy said he was expecting it to take place in the council chamber.