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Shelter-in-place added to Young County Declaration of Imminent Disaster

Tue, 03/31/2020 - 5:50 pm
news@grahamleader.com

Following the city of Graham’s decision to enact a shelter-in-place order, Young County Judge John Bullock has amended his Declaration of Imminent Disaster to put into effect a shelter-in-place order for Young County beginning 12 a.m. Wednesday, April 1.

Bullock signed the amended Declaration of Imminent Disaster on Tuesday, March 31. In an email, Judge Bullock said this is an update to the already existing order.

“It is an amended declaration that now orders a ‘shelter-in-place’ requirement,” Bullock wrote. “It does not take the place (of the city of Graham’s shelter-in-place order).”

The Young County shelter-in-place orders that “all Young County residences shall remain at their residence locations except for urgent necessity or emergency purposes or to preform ‘essential tasks’ as they may relate to ‘Essential Businesses, Services or Activities’ as further identified and/or defined as Exhibit B to this Amended Declaration.”

Bullock pointed out that the list of essential businesses, services and activities could change based on decisions made by local governments within the county.

“It (replacing individual rules under Graham’s shelter-in-place order) would only be in an instance if my order would carry a stricter requirement if the orders conflicted,” Bullock wrote. “The list of ‘essential businesses/services/activities’ is non-exclusive and will vary from one entity to another and may be added to or taken from in the course of the order. There is no definitive list for those businesses only advisories as to what some entities have deemed as essential.”

The requirements for the county-wide shelter-in-place states, “schools shall suspend classroom classes indefinitely, churches shall suspend congregational services, gyms, health clubs and bars shall close, event facilities shall re-schedule or cancel events, any gathering of more than 10 shall violate this order and proceedings (unless emergency) shall be postponed.”

The order still requires social distancing of six feet or more, reducing on-site staffing to essential personnel while encouraging working at home if possible and encouraging ordering food for take-out or delivery.

A violation of the order may result in prosecution by local authorities as a Class B misdemeanor, facing a maximum fine of $1,000 or 180 days in jail.

Businesses considered essential

    •    Agriculture - As it applies to production, care and maintenance of crops, livestock, poultry equine and supply in support of such including veterinary hospitals and services and manufacturing
    •    Banks, financial and professional services
    •    Daycare facilities
    •    Education - Public, private home-based instruction "essential employee" includes "educators supporting public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing other essential functions, if operating under rules for social distancing" facilitating distance learning or performing other essential functions, including the delivery of student meals" are essential to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the community
    •    All medical personnel, facilities clinics including EMT/EMS ambulance and equipment/supply services
    •    Clothing and dry goods retailers/suppliers
    •    Call centers
    •    Essential government services and facilities; vital statistics, records, courts, motor vehicle, road/bridge and elections
    •    Fuel and oil (whole sell/retail) distributing, vehicle parts, repair and maintenance centers
    •    Grocery, convenience and package stores
    •    Home repair/suppliers including appliance repair/replace and hardware/lumber retail/whole sell
    •    Homeless shelters and non-profit providers of essential services
    •    Jobs and job sites and related supply chains within stated occupancy limits distancing
    •    Legal and professional services including accounts and tax preparers respecting distancing and group limit
    •    Laundromats and dry cleaners
    •    Manufacturing, distributing and logistics
    •    Oil and gas producers, servicers, transporters, maintenance and pumpers
    •    Office buildings - Maintaining distancing and gathering of persons
    •    Pet care and veterinary services
    •    Pharmacy and drug stores
    •    Residential, commercial and industrial construction
    •    Residential buildings, hotels and motels - Except group meeting spaces
    •    Transit and airport facilities and services including freight

Bullock added some commonly asked questions and answers at the bottom Exhibit B in the imminent disaster order. The list includes answers to places which may or may not be restricted under the order.

Churches and places of worship - These are open to staff and available to perform functions necessary to support online, telephone, email and other services, including production of services and related items.
Landscape services and landscape supply - These are open and subject to social distancing and occupancy limits.
Construction trades - These are open and subject to social distancing and no gatherings greater than 10.
Recovery support groups - These are open and subject to social distancing and no gatherings greater than 10.
Janitorial services - These are open and subject to social distancing and no gatherings greater than 10.
Outdoor entertainment and recreation - These are closed under the current declaration.
Golf courses - Clubhouse, restaurant and related services are closed. Courses can remain open.
Computer support services - These are open to provide support services, but retail will be closed to customers and available through pickup, delivery, curb-side, etc.
Auto sales - Retail services are closed, but can be available through online and related transactions with pickup. Service, parts and related can remain open.