Several services rendered through public health departments across the state were deemed as noncritical in nature Wednesday during the judge’s order and will therefore not be provided in the case of a government shutdown.

Freeborn County Public Health Director Sue Yost said her department will be authorized mainly to continue operations of the Women, Infants and Children program, but many other programs will be suspended.

“Pretty much what we feared came true,” Yost said.

That means, according to the Minnesota judge’s ruling, programs including Healthy Families, immunizations, newborn visits and longterm care consultations will no longer be taking place come Friday, when the shutdown is slated to begin, Yost said. Emergency preparedness will only be operated in the case of an emergency event, same as other immediate public health concerns.

“We’re very disappointed,” Yost said. “It’s unfortunate more of these things aren’t on the critical list.”

She said employees in her department are starting to get nervous in anticipation of the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners meeting Friday regarding how to handle a shutdown. It is possible employees in this department may be temporarily laid off.

The department’s employees will come to work Friday, awaiting the commissioners’ discussions, she noted.