City of Rockwall Mayoral Declaration of Local State of Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency

The City of Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt has issued the following disaster declaration in public health for the City of Rockwall:

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 cause a severe illness, including coughing, fever, shortness of breath 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 13, 2020, the Governor of the State of Texas issued a proclamation certifying that COVID-19 poses an imminent threat of disaster in the state and declaring a state of disaster for all counties in Texas; and

WHEREAS, the City of Rockwall, Texas, is taking extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the spread throughout the City of Rockwall, including recommending the postponement or cancellation of all public and community events greater than ten persons as suggested by the Center for Disease Control within the Rockwall city limits; and

WHEREAS, Social Distancing is a necessary component of the prevention of the spread of this virus. All citizens should maintain, wherever possible, a six-foot separation between individuals.

WHEREAS, Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee shops’ occupancy shall be limited to fifty percent occupancy as determined on its Certificate of Occupancy. Restaurants are encouraged to make use of curbside pickup or delivery services.

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 ROCKWALL, TEXAS:

SECTION 1. That a local state of disaster for public health emergency is hereby declared for the City of Rockwall 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 seven (7) days from the date of this declaration, unless continued or renewed by the City Council of the City of Rockwall, 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 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the City of Rockwall, Texas, emergency management plan.

SECTION 5.  That this declaration hereby limits Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops occupancy to fifty percent occupancy as determined on its Certificate of Occupancy.

SECTION 6.  That the City Manager takes measures to facilitate online payments and authorize the waiver of online transaction fees.

SECTION 7.   That all applications for permits and development be submitted online or through the U.S. Mail.

SECTION 8.  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.

SECTION 9. That this declaration shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.

DECLARED this 18^th day of March, 2020.

Jim Pruitt, Mayor

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