WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-CoV2 which causes the disease COVID-19, has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization; and

 

WHEREAS, the symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe illness and cause further complications including death; and

 

WHEREAS, 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, on March 19, 2020, the Governor of the State of Texas issued a proclamation and Executive Order No. GA-8 certifying that COVID-19 poses and imminent threat of disaster in the state and declaring a state of disaster for all counties in Texas; and

 

WHEREAS, the City of Joaquin, Texas, is taking extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of this potentially devastating disease in our community; and

 

WHEREAS, said state of disaster requires that certain emergency protective measures be taken pursuant to the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 relating to Emergency. Management and Public Health, pursuant to Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF JOAQUIN, TEXAS:

 

SECTION 1. That a local state of disaster for public health emergency is hereby declared for the City of Joaquin, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.

 

SECTION 2. That pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code the state of disaster for public health emergency shall continue for a period of not more than (7) days from the date of this declaration, unless continued or renewed by the Mayor of Joaquin, Texas.

 

SECTION 3. That pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code this declaration of a local state of disaster for public health emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the City Secretary.

 

SECTION 4. That pursuant to Section 418.018(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the City of Joaquin, Texas emergency management plan, and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance under the declaration.

 

SECTION 5. That this declaration authorizes the City to take any actions necessary to promote health and suppress the virus, including the quarantine of persons and occupied structures, examining and regulating hospitals, regulating ingress and egress from the City, regulating ingress and egress to occupied structures, establishment of quarantine stations, emergency hospitals, and other hospitals, and insuring compliance for those who do not comply with the City’s rules, pursuant to section 122.006 of the Health and Safety Code.

 

SECTION 6. That this declaration hereby limits the size of gatherings to not more than 10 people and mandates the cancellation of all such gatherings to until further notice. A “gathering” refers generally to a common endeavor where 10 or more persons are present in a confined space, room, or area.

 

SECTION 7. 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 and/or confinement in jail up to 180 days.

 

SECTION 8. That this declaration hereby authorizes the use of all lawfully available enforcement tools.

 

SECTION 9. That this declaration shall take effect at 10:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

DECLARED this 31st day of March, 2020.