Parker County Commissioners Court approved an Amended Declaration of Local Disaster due to Public Health Emergency on Monday, March 23.
Citing President Trump’s national emergency declaration on March 13 and the threat of widespread illness, the declaration puts into effect the following measures for a period not to exceed 30 days:
The declaration also states it is not intended to apply to any business operations delivering essential services. Essential Services means services, the interruption of which would endanger life, health or personal safety of the whole or part of the population.
If someone in a household has tested positive for COVID-19, the household is ordered to isolate at home. Members of the household cannot go to work, school, or any other community function until cleared by a medical professional.
The Declaration closes worship services for in-person services, provided that needed staff can attend to produce audio/video services for transmission.
In accordance with Texas Government Code §418.173, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this declaration commits an offense, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days.
PARKER COUNTY
FIRST AMENDED DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus, now designated COVID- 19, as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe illness and cause further complications including death; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus mainly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and
WHEREAS, the continued worldwide spread of COVID-19 presents an imminent threat of widespread illness, which requires emergency action for the protection of the people of Parker County; and
WHEREAS, a declaration of local disaster and public health emergency includes the ability to reduce the possibility of exposure to disease, control the risk, promote health, and compel persons to undergo additional health measures that prevent or control the spread of disease. These measures include isolation, surveillance, quarantine, or placement of persons under public health observation, including the provision of temporary housing or emergency shelters for persons misplaced or evacuated. A declaration allows the request of assistance from the Governor for state resources; and
WHEREAS, this Declaration activates the Parker County Emergency Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the County Judge and Commissioners Court have determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to mitigate the effects of this public health emergency and to facilitate the efficient, rapid, and cooperative response to the emergency; and
WHEREAS, the County Judge issued an Emergency Declaration of Local Disaster due to Public Health Emergency on March 20, 2020. Now, the County Judge and Commissioners Court hereby issue this First Amended Declaration of Local Disaster due to Public Health Emergency to implement additional measures to ensure the protection of the residents of Parker County.
THEREFORE, Be It Proclaimed by the County Judge that:
In all such locations, there must be sufficient space for all people to be 6 feet apart to the greatest extent possible at all times to control infection. Where possible, a tracking list of the individuals present, and their contact information shall be maintained.
Notwithstanding the above restrictions, this Declaration is not intended to apply to any business operations delivering essential services. Essential Services means services, the interruption of which would endanger life, health or personal safety of the whole or part of the population.
If someone in a household has tested positive for COVID-19, the household is ordered to isolate at home. Members of the household cannot go to work, school, or any other community function until cleared by a medical professional.
This Declaration closes worship services for in-person services, provided that needed staff can attend to produce audio/video services for transmission.
In accordance with Texas Government Code §418.173, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this declaration commits an offense, punishable by a fine up to
$1,000.00 or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days.
These restrictions set out in the attached table may be updated as allowed by law, as necessary to respond to the evolving circumstances of this outbreak during the duration of this declaration and any extension without the issuance of a new declaration.
This Declaration hereby authorizes the use of all lawfully available enforcement tools.
This Declaration incorporates the attached table, Disaster Restrictions, as if set forth verbatim herein.
This Declaration shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
This Declaration shall take effect Tuesday at 6 pm., March 24, 2020.
Signed by Commissioners Court on March 23, 2020
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