HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrange County State of Emergency Declaration - July 8 2020 �nsr (rot
Penny Rich, Chair
Renee Price, vice-Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners
Jamezetta Bedford Post Office Box 8181
Mark Dorosin 17 52
Sally Greene 200 South Cameron Street
Mark Marcoplos Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
Earl McKee
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AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ORANGE COUNTY
Sec.1. The undersigned declared the existence of a state of emergency in Orange County
pursuant to North Carolina General Statute ("NCGS") 166A-22 on March 13, 2020 and revised
said declaration of emergency on March 25, 2020, April 23, 2020, May 6, 2020, May 21, 2020,
June 10, 2020, and June 26, 2020 (the "Declarations").
Sec. 2. The Governor of North Carolina, through Executive Order 138 ("EO 138), began moving
the state into Phase 1 of the state's planned COVID-19 recovery on May 8, 2020; through
Executive Order 141 ("EO 141") began moving the state into Phase 2 on May 22, 2020; and
through Executive Order 147 ("EO 147") mandated the wearing of face coverings throughout
North Carolina.
Sec. 3. The undersigned adopted a revised declaration of emergency incorporating the terms
of EO 141, with minimal changes, having an effective date of May 22, 2020 and amended that
declaration on June 10, 2020 to extend the effective date of the Declarations through August
31, 2020 and to require face coverings in Orange County and adopted EO 147 on June 26, 2020
while maintaining several Orange County specific restrictions. The undersigned has determined
that further restrictions are necessary to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and makes the
following Findings in support thereof:
i. North Carolina entered Phase 1 of reopening on May 81"; and
ii. Since Orange County entered Phase 1 of reopening the number of cases in
the County has surged from 273 on May 81" to 850 on July 81"; and
iii. EO 141 allowed restaurants to reopen with limited capacity and specific rules
applicable thereto; and
iv. The Governor of North Carolina has ordered bars and other businesses that
involve indoor gatherings to remain closed; and
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v. Some businesses and organizations are beginning to host outdoor activities
and events and allow gatherings of more than 25 people; and
vi. Several restaurants are remaining open to the early morning hours with
limited food service and primarily alcohol service; and
vii. There is little to no physical/social distancing among those gathering in some
restaurants at these late hours; and
viii.The primary product being sold and consumed at these late hours is alcohol
rather than food; and
ix. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina
Department of Health and Human Services indicate the consumption of
alcohol in excess leads those consuming to engage in risky behaviors and
generally lowered inhibitions; and
x. Risky behavior and lowered inhibitions are likely to lead to the failure to
follow physical distancing recommendations and face covering requirements;
and
xi. Students and staff of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("UNC)
are expected to return to Orange County from other areas of the nation and
world, some having been in areas of greater risk and exposure than currently
exists in Orange County; and
xii. There is a tendency of this student age—group population to engage in more
socialization and to gather in large numbers; and
xiii. UNC Administration has requested local officials take action to address the
influx of large numbers of students who will increase the stress on local
health care infrastructure in the event of a surge in COVID cases; and
xiv. In order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 it is imperative that everyone in
Orange County engage in physical distancing of at least six feet, use face
coverings as required and to the greatest extent possible, and that mass
gatherings be strictly limited to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors; and
xv. Pursuant to NCGS 166A-31 and Chapter 14, Article II of the Orange County
Code of Ordinances the Chair of the Board of Commissioners has the
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Protecting and preserving—People,Resources,Quality of Life
Orange County,North Carolina—You Count!
(919)245-2130• FAX(919)644-0246
authority during a declared state of emergency to restrict, among other
things, the movement of people in public places, the sale, transfer, and
consumption of alcohol, and the operation of business establishments.
Sec. 4. In consideration of all available data related to the impacts of COVID-19 in Orange
County and of the Findings set out in Section 3 above the undersigned, in consultation with the
Orange County Health Director, has determined it is in the best interest of the residents of
Orange County to impose the following additional restrictions to help slow the spread of
COVID-19 in Orange County:
i. Restaurants and private clubs shall be closed to the onsite consumption of
food and beverages and no customers shall be present for the onsite
consumption of food and beverages between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am; and
ii. Restaurants may continue drive through, delivery, and pick-up services after
10:00 pm so long as there is no onsite consumption of food and beverages;
and
iii. Restaurants, breweries, wine shops, private clubs, bars, and any other
businesses or organizations that sell alcohol for onsite consumption may not
sell alcohol between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am and no customers shall be
present for onsite consumption of alcohol between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am;
and
iv. Restaurants, private clubs, and other food and beverage service businesses
may not provide offsite table service for the consumption of food and
beverages in Orange County between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am; and
v. Restaurants, private clubs, bars, and other food and beverage service
businesses shall not allow sitting or standing at bars for food and beverage
consumption and shall not allow patrons to touch shared surfaces such as
bar counters or game equipment such as pool tables, darts, and pinball
machines, etc.; and
vi. All outdoor activities, gatherings, or events of more than 25 people are
prohibited. Worship, religious and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies,
wedding ceremonies, and gatherings for health and safety, for work, to
obtain goods, and to obtain government services are exempt from this Sec.
4(vi).
vii. The restrictions and prohibitions found in Section 4 of the June 26, 2020
Amendment to the Declaration of a State of Emergency in Orange County
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remain in effect in Orange County until they are amended or modified or the
Orange County Declaration of Emergency is terminated except that Section
4(ii) is modified as follows: The mandatory mitigation measures set out in EO
138, Section 7B.2., as originally adopted, apply to all long-term care facilities
described in EO 138, Section 7A.3., as originally adopted, which are situated
in Orange County and shall continue to apply until such time as the Orange
County Declaration of a State of Emergency in Orange County is amended,
modified, or terminated.
Sec. S. Pursuant to the authority granted by Chapter 14 of the Orange County Code of General
Ordinances and Chapter 166A of the N.C. General Statutes, the prohibitions and restrictions
specified in Section 4 shall continue to remain in full force and effect during the ongoing state
of emergency. This Amendment does not apply to state government offices or local education
agencies, which are governed directly by the Executive Orders.
Sec. 6. A copy of this Amendment shall be provided to the Clerk to the Board of
Commissioners. Reports of the substance of its prohibitions and restrictions shall be sent
immediately to the mass communications media serving Orange County. As soon as practicable,
the full text of this Amendment shall be distributed to the mass communications media serving
Orange County. A copy of this Amendment shall be posted conspicuously on the Orange
County website at www.orangecountync.gov. Notice and a signed copy of this Amendment to
the Declarations shall be submitted to the Department of Public Safety WebEOC.
Sec. 7. This Amendment is effective at 5:00 pm on Friday July 10, 2020.
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July 9, 2020
Penny Rich, Chair Date
Orange County Board of Commissioners
www.orangecountync.gov
Protecting and preserving—People,Resources,Quality of Life
Orange County,North Carolina—You Count!
(919)245-2130• FAX(919)644-0246