HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrange County State of Emergency Declaration - March 13 2020 ®i��g4 k �nrrrr
Penny Rich, Chair '1
Renee Price, Vice-Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners
Jamezetta Bedford Post Office Box 8181
Mark Dorosin 17 ,2
Sally Greene 200 South Cameron Street
Mark Marcoplos Hillsborough, North Carolina,27278
Earl McKee
DECLARATION OF AN ORANGE COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY TO
COORDINATE RESPONSE AND PROTECTIVE ACTIONS TO PREVENT
AND RESPOND TO THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus previously unidentified in humans and
which can spread from person to person; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health International
Pandemic on March 10, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has warned of the
public health threat posed by COVID-19 within the State of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed
cases of COVID-19 in the Triangle region of North Carolina as of March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of North Carolina declared a State of Emergency, based
on the public health emergency of COVID-19, on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Health and Emergency Services departments have organized an
Incident Management Team to manage the public health impacts of COVID-19 in Orange
County; and
WHEREAS, first responders and health care professionals remain integral to ensuring the
county is best situated to respond to and mitigate the threat posed by COVID-19 and such first
responders and health care resources should have the availability of all necessary personal
protective equipment and continue to follow all necessary response protocols; and
WHEREAS, because of the above-described emergency, I have determined that there is an
imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property, and may
disrupt essential services and systems:
W W W.Orangecountync.gov
Protecting and preserving—People,Resources,Quality of Life
Orange County,North Carolina—You Count!
(919)245-2130•FAX(919)644-0246
Section 1. Pursuant to the Orange County's Code of Ordinances, Part I, Chapter 14,
Article 11, Sec. 14-31 et. seq., and as authorized by Chapter 166A of the
North Carolina General Statues, a State of Emergency is hereby declared
within the jurisdiction of Orange County, North Carolina.
Section 2. I hereby order all County law enforcement officers, employees, and all other
emergency response personnel subject to the authority of the Orange County
Board of Commissioners to cooperate in the enforcement and
implementation of the provisions of the Orange County Emergency
Operations Plan and other relevant County Ordinances.
Section 3. I hereby authorize the Orange County Emergency Operations Center to be
immediately activated for as long as required.
Section 4. 1 hereby authorize the Orange County Manager to take appropriate
protective action, including implementing prohibitions, restrictions,
evacuations, alterations of any Orange County services that may contribute
to virus spread, and procure or hire any resources necessary to provide for
the public welfare and protection.
Section 5. The Orange County Manager is further directed to: (a) distribute this
declaration to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its
contents to the attention of the general public; (b) file this declaration with
the Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners; and (c) distribute
the declaration as necessary to ensure its full implementation.
Section 6. This proclamation shall become effective immediately. Proclaimed this the
13th Day of March 2020, at 1130 hours.
Section 8. This proclamation shall remain in effect until it is rescinded.
Penny Rich, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners
W W W.Orangecountync.gov
Protecting and preserving—People,Resources,Quality of Life
Orange County,North Carolina—You Count!
(919)245-2130•FAX(919)644-0246