FAIRMONT — “This is the time to do something. It’s better to do something even if nothing happens.”

Those were the words of advice Abigail Nesbit, Martin County emergency management director, told the Fairmont City Council at a special meeting Monday. The council received updates from the business community, law enforcement, the school district and the interim city administrator on the rapidly changing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered the closing of schools through March 27 in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. On Monday, he ordered the state’s bars and restaurants to cease dine-in service by 5 p.m. today, as well as closing bowling alleys, fitness centers and food courts at least through March 27.

Mayor Debbie Foster asked for input from Nesbit; Police Chief Mike Hunter; Ned Koppen, president of the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce; and Joe Brown, superintendent of Fairmont Area Schools, about the closings.

Mark Sievert, interim city administrator, also weighed in about changes pending at City Hall. Sievert plans to talk with city staff through a series of meetings today and plans to temporarily close City Hall to the public, although phones will still be answered.

“All services are going to continue,” he said. “What we’re planning to do is all about prevention. We don’t want to be reactionary.”

City staff still will be available by phone or email, and each department will develop a chain of authority at least three people deep. The airport will have limited access to pilots only.

The council discussed the possibility of canceling its March 23 meeting, but a couple of time-sensitive items are on the agenda. The council decided to curtail its meetings to handle only timely issues and delay other business, if possible.

“Some of these things, we’re going to have to learn as we go,” Sievert said.

Nesbit said Martin County does not plan to close any offices at this time. The protective glass installed in the public areas the last few years will help shield county employees from possible contamination from the public, but the possibility of closing is still up in the air.

The lobby of the Law Enforcement Center is closed to the public so people should call (507) 238-4481 if they need non-emergency assistance. Although inmate visitation has been halted, residents of the jail can still contact their loved ones via computer.

Nesbit recommended people check the Centers for Disease Control site at www.cdc.gov or the Minnesota Department of Health at www.health.state.mn.us for updated and accurate information.

She also advised people to rethink any trips, group activities or meetings for at least 80 days.

“If it’s anything before that, you should probably cancel,” she said.

Koppen echoed the feelings of uncertainty.

“All of our businesses are going to be impacted. It’s a moving target right now,” he said.

The Chamber will try to push information out to its members and area businesses on any modifications that will affect their operations.

“I would like to encourage our businesses and our community as a whole to pay attention to the experts. Hear what they’re saying. Let’s try not to overreact, but let’s be very, very cautious as well,” he said.

Brown held a staff meeting for district employees at 7 a.m. Monday when 20 states had closed schools. By the time the 90-minute meeting ended, the number of states that had closed schools had shot up to 33, the lengths of closings vary.

On Sunday, members of the school board, the district’s administrative team, school nurses, some teachers, buildings and grounds workers, transportation representatives, social workers and food service representatives held a six-hour meeting to prepare for the initial eight-day closure. One of the topics discussed included the distribution of free breakfast and lunch for students in sack meals to 12 different locations, which are posted on the school’s website, www.fairmont.k12.mn.us

“This is not an eight-day shutdown,” Brown said.

The time span is to allow district to determine how to educate its 1,667 students outside of the traditional classroom setting. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that schools shut down for six to eight weeks.

Brown also mentioned that prom “might” happen, but not in April as originally planned, and graduation is still undecided.

Council members asked about the possibility of an extended school year into June or even July, but Brown said there are too many variables to consider at this time.

Police Chief Mike Hunter reiterated Nesbit’s advise to get information from the CDC and Health Department websites.

“Those are the ones that have all the credibility,” he said.

The pandemic panic has not presented any problems for law enforcement as yet.

“Our concern is people’s behavior in the community during this time. So far, we haven’t had any issues,” he said. “The things we’re seeing are panic buying, where you see people buying a lot of stuff up. If you’re doing that, I hope you’re sharing with your neighbors. I hope you’re sharing with the elderly or with other people in the community.

“Be respectful. Be courteous. Next year at this time, nobody’s going to remember how many rolls of toilet paper you have. They’re going to remember how you treated them as your neighbor. Take care of each other. We’ll get through this.”