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PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR DAVIE COUNTY

Whereas, pursuant to the authority granted to North Carolina counties under the North Carolina Emergency Management Act (Article 1 of Chapter 166A and Article 36A, Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes), which sets forth the authority and responsibility of the Governor, State agencies, and local governments in prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural or man-made emergencies; and also pursuant to authority granted by the Davie County Code of Ordinances, this Proclamation/Declaration is hereby made; and

Whereas, the North Carolina Emergency Management Act (Article 1 of Chapter 166A and Article 36A, Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes), authorize counties and municipalities to individually or collectively declare states of emergency and also authorizes counties and municipalities to individually or collectively impose prohibitions and restrictions under conditions and following procedures contained in the aforementioned statutes; and

Whereas, Whereas, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a serious communicable disease causing a global pandemic that is easily transmitted from person to person, can result in serious illness or death, and has created a State of Emergency in North Carolina and Davie County; and

Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that COVID-19 is spread primarily between people in close proximity to one another, and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks and recommends social distancing to prevent the continued spread of the virus; and

Whereas, due to COVID-19 on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic; and

Whereas, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of North Carolina declared a State of Emergency in North Carolina and has issued multiple Executive Orders to address the public health emergency and to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors; and

Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an Emergency Declaration due to the national emergency, retroactive to March 1, 2020; and

Whereas, on March 15, 2020, the CDC warned of COVID-19 and the high public health threat for large events and mass gatherings to protect vulnerable populations; and

Whereas, on March 16, 2020, Davie County Government proclaimed a State of Emergency Proclamation/Declaration to coordinate Davie County’s response to protective actions to address the COVID-19 emergency to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors located in Davie County; and

Whereas, on March 17, 2020, the North Carolina Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) confirmed that the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in North Carolina and further issued an Order of Abatement of Imminent Hazard for certain businesses,

Whereas, on March 21, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Davie County; and 2

Whereas, on March 21, 2020, Davie County Government modified the March 16, 2020 Proclamation/Declaration due to the imminent threat of, or existing conditions have caused or will cause, widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property, and to ensure that health and public safety authorities can maintain order and protect public health, safety, and welfare, lives and to provide adequate protection of property; and

Whereas, since this last Emergency Proclamation/Declaration modified on March 16, 2020, the number of laboratory confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the State of North Carolina and Davie County continue to climb; and

Whereas, there is still an imminent threat of, or existing conditions have caused or will cause, widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property, and to ensure that health and public safety authorities can maintain order and protect public health, safety, and welfare, lives and to provide adequate protection of property; and

Whereas, our local governmental departments must use all preventative measures, which will require access to available national, state, and local services, personnel, equipment, and facilities to respond to COVID-19 due to the public health threat to protect our most vulnerable citizens; and

Whereas, based on CDC recommendations, Davie County encourages all residents to wear a face covering or non-surgical protective face mask in public settings where multiple persons are present, practice social distancing, and wash one’s hands frequently as measures designed to help slow or prevent the spread of the virus and to prevent individuals who may be infected and unaware from transmitting the virus to others; and

Now therefore it be resolved, in compliance with the Proclamations and Declarations of the President of the United States, the Executive Orders of the Governor of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Order of Abatement of Imminent Hazard, and after consultation with local departmental authorities, the undersigned hereby still declares that a State of Emergency continues to exist in Davie County.

In accordance with this Proclamation/Declaration, and until it is rescinded or modified, I hereby further resolve, declare, and order that:

1. A State of Emergency continues to exist within Davie County, North Carolina. This Proclamation/ Declaration, and the directives included within it, includes all the unincorporated areas of the County, and, with the consent of the incorporated areas/municipalities of the Town of Mocksville, Town of Cooleemee, and Town of Bermuda Run.

2. The Proclamations and Declarations of the President of the United States, the Executive Orders of the Governor of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Order of Abatement of Imminent Hazard, and any Proclamations/Declarations of any municipality that has consented to this Proclamation shall be followed.

3. Local governments shall take action as necessary to promote emergency contingency plans to secure the safety and protection of those dwelling in Davie County.

4. As able, local government buildings shall provide the public alternative means of contacting each department/entity on the exterior doors, online/electronically, and/or via social media notifying residents of options to do business without entering the premises.

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5. All upcoming local government meetings shall be assessed by each governing body to prevent gathering persons together risking exposure to the public. This will include all Boards, Committees, and Council/Commissioner meetings. Such meetings should provide alternative means to meet electronically to avoid mass gatherings whenever possible or feasible. Alternative means of meeting (electronic streaming, webinar, conference call, pre-submission prior to meetings, etc.) should be assessed according to each governing body to ensure that citizens have a means of public comment each month. If meetings physically occur, all members are encouraged to implement social distancing of 6 feet between each individual and it is recommended that all participants wear masks whenever possible or feasible. Davie County Government has no jurisdiction regarding state governed entities, as those elected/administrative bodies will need to make their own informed decisions. Therefore, all such local government meetings including boards, committees, and other community meetings required by ordinance, shall adhere to the following rules and procedures:

a) All meetings shall be conducted so that attendees can attend either on-line/electronically (audio and/or video), or via social media, or other electronic methods/options approved by the governing body (pre-registering with the Clerk beforehand to speak at the electronic meeting by calling or emailing the Clerk before the meeting, or pre-record a comment via a voice mail message that the Clerk can play during the meeting, etc.) so as to allow citizens the option of participating/attending without entering the premises or being physically present.

b) Whenever it is possible or feasible for the governing board to meet physically/in-person, there shall be no more than 25 individuals allowed into the meeting room at any one time other than board members and/or essential staff members. In the instance of public comment and/or the public hearing period, if more than 25 people have signed up to speak, no more than 25 individuals shall be allowed in to the room at any one time. Each speaker shall speak and then leave if others are awaiting behind him/her to avoid exceeding the 25-person limit.

c) When a public hearing is anticipated to yield a large crowd, alternate venues may be assessed to allow more than 25. It is recommended that all participants social distance and wear masks whenever possible or feasible

6. All meetings in interior governmental facilities used by non-governmental organizations and community organizations shall recommend social distancing and recommend all participants to wear masks whenever possible or feasible. Davie County Government has no jurisdiction regarding state or federal governed entities who are located in governmental facilities, as those elected/administrative bodies will need to make their own informed decisions about activities occurring in their space.

7. Local governmental departments must use all preventative measures, which will require access to available national, state, and local services, personnel, equipment, and facilities to respond to COVID-19 due to the public health threat to protect our most vulnerable citizens; and

8. Based on CDC recommendations, Davie County encourages all residents to wear a face covering or non-surgical protective face mask in public settings where multiple persons are present, practice social distancing, and wash one’s hands frequently as measures designed to help slow or prevent the spread of the virus and to prevent individuals who may be infected and unaware from transmitting the virus to others; and

9. All residential facilities (nursing homes, independent and assisted living facilities, correction facilities, and facilities that care for the medically vulnerable) shall continue to follow the Governor’s Executive Orders and NCDHHS guidance to ensure the health and safety of high risk.

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10. All businesses that have devices that use an entertaining display for video gaming/sweepstakes purposes shall be closed to restrict the flow of visitors in Davie County; and

11. All Davie County staff under the authority of the Davie County Manager; all law enforcement officers under the command of the Davie County Sheriff; all county emergency service and public safety resources at the direction of Davie County Emergency Services Director; and all resources under the authority of the Health and Human Services Director, shall cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Proclamation/Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, and Davie County Emergency Operations; and

12. Public Notice shall be given to: the general public; filed with Clerk to the Davie County Board of Commissioners; posted on the doors of the County Courthouse and County Administration and/or Municipal Administration Building(s); the Davie County Enterprise Newspaper, the NC State WebEOC system, and the County and/or Municipal website(s) to ensure proper implementation of this Proclamation/Declaration.

13. The Original Proclamation/Declaration “Checklist” enacted on March 16, 2020, enforcing the Davie County Emergency Ordinance and authorizing the prohibitions and restrictions during a State of Emergency, shall remain in effect with no changes; and

14. The State of Emergency Proclamation/Declaration is hereby modified/revised on September 3, 2020 from the August 3, 2020 Proclamation/Declaration and, shall take effect at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded. PROCLAIMED the date and time set forth above.

Attest

Terry Renegar, Chairman Stacy Moyer, Clerk to the Board

Davie County Board of Commissioners