Groton — Starting Monday, city offices will be largely closed to the public due to increasing COVID-19 cases in the region.

City officials plan to reopen the Municipal Building on Dec. 14, according to a news release issued Friday. The closure “will help limit any potential post-Thanksgiving increase in COVID-19 cases and protect City employees from possible exposure,” it said.

City employees still will be working at the building and will be available to meet with residents or customers by appointment only. People are asked to use the blue drop box in the front of the building to drop off any paperwork for any city department. Residents and customers also may call city utility departments for assistance, and can pay their utility bills online at grotonutilities.com or by phone at (860) 446-4000.

This coming week, the building will be closed to appointments Wednesday but staff will be available by phone during normal business hours. The building will be closed with no staff Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving, the release said.