After an outbreak of COVID-19 forced the temporary closure of the Powell Valley Recycling center, the facility is set to reopen for regular hours starting today (Tuesday).

However, because multiple employees remain ill, “we will be operating with a short staff for the time being,” said Marynell Oechsner, president of the Powell Valley Recycling (PVR) board.

Six of PVR’s shop employees tested positive for COVID-19 the week after Thanksgiving, Oechsner said. That led the nonprofit organization to immediately shutter its center on Road 10/Tower Boulevard.

Three of the PVR employees quarantined for 14 days “and have recovered from mild to no symptoms,” Oechsner said Monday. “However, three of our [other] employees, along with their wives, are still very sick. Two of the men have pneumonia, though they have not had to be hospitalized at this time.”

After being hit “very hard” by the virus, and given the state’s mask mandate, Oechsner said Powell Valley Recycling “will only be accepting recyclable materials from those patrons willing to mask up and social distance” going forward.

“The Board at Powell Valley Recycling believes this practice is necessary to keep our public support and our remaining healthy employees safe,” she said.

Oechsner said COVID-19 is serious and highly contagious “and we all need to do everything we can to avoid exposing others to it, by masking up and social distancing.”

She said the organization, which is funded in part by a monthly fee on City of Powell residents’ utility bill, is looking forward to continuing to serve the public in a safe manner in 2021.