Berrien County has extended the local State of Emergency declaration to July 10.

Thursday morning the county’s Board of Commissioners authorized the extension, citing the need to continue providing liability protection for non-county employees and volunteers that are assisting during the pandemic.

The Emergency Operations Center will continue remote operations in order to assist the Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health Lakeland during the pandemic.

Facilities in the county will continue to reopen in phases based on guidance from the state government and Health Department recommendations.