COVID-19 Response
Yancey County Government Requests Suspension of All Short-Term Rentals Until Further Notice Effective Immediately
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose a looming threat to the health and safety of the people of Yancey County. As the situation continues to develop and new cases are reported throughout the state and the western North Carolina region, our local government continues to be proactive in taking the necessary steps to stem the spread of the disease through all appropriate means.
At this time, Yancey County government and public health and safety officials are requesting that the use of all short-term rentals be suspended in Yancey County until further notice effective as of the date of this announcement, 23 March 2020. This action is consistent with actions taken by other communities across the state and nation to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus due to human travel.
Human travel promotes the spread of this disease and the presence of visitors in Yancey County has the potential to exacerbate the spread of the virus and the anticipated strain on our limited healthcare facilities caused by it. This request is to assist in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in a manner and at a pace that overwhelms the state and Yancey County’s ability to respond effectively in the coming days.
We recognize the potential need to allow the use of hotels and other facilities for emergency service workers, essential service works, displaced residents needing shelter, traveler safety, and other response and mitigation efforts related to COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks. These uses will be allowed and addressed more specifically in the coming days.
We realize that this request places a burden on the hotel accommodation and short-term rental sector of our economy and do not take making the request lightly, but if left unchecked it increases the potential for infection in our community.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we stand together to beat this disease.
