CHESAPEAKE — The village of Chesapeake has declared a state of emergency out of concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak.

Mayor Kim Oldaker made the announcement on Saturday.

“The village of Chesapeake joins other towns and villages in declaring a state of emergency, following Gov. Mike DeWine’s directions in this situation to help provide safety to our village residents and surrounding communities of the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus),” Oldaker said in a news release.

She said the village is encouraging no handshaking, asking residents to pay bills over the phone or online and asking businesses to wipe down all high-touch areas, such as hand rails and doorknobs, hourly.

She said they are also encouraging all employees at businesses to ash or sanitize their hands after every transaction or to wear gloves when handling money.

Oldaker said Chesapeake’s village hall will not be accepting cash at this time, but will conduct transactions with checks, money orders and credit/debit cards.

Hours at village hall will be from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and from 5-7 p.m.

Prior to the declaration, Oldaker told the Tribune the village was changing the way it conducts its mayor’s court, with only defendants and attorneys allowed admittance to the courtroom.

The village has no public events scheduled for the next two weeks after postponing its Easter Egg hunt until further notice.

Ironton Mayor Sam Cramblit and Coal Grove Mayor Gary Sherman made similar emergency declarations last week, while Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine and President Donald Trump have declared emergencies at the state and federal level.