City of Rockwall modifies activities for City Council meeting tonight

(ROCKWALL, TX – March 16, 2020) The City of Rockwall continues to provide its full range of services to residents while taking recommended precautions. In light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, the Rockwall City Council has decided to modify the activities for their regular meeting tonight. The CDC has issued new guidelines listed below that suggest that all gatherings of more than 50 people should be avoided. However, there are time-sensitive essential functions and legal requirements related to planning and zoning cases that must continue to be addressed at city council meetings. In addition, the law requires that residents be allowed to personally participate in their government. Therefore, Rockwall will continue with necessary council functions, while allowing residents an alternative to comment in person.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and the executive session will take place after the regular meeting. All work sessions, proclamations and awards have been postponed until after the coronavirus recommendations are changed by health authorities. Anyone wishing to comment will be able to personally attend the meeting and comment as allowed by law, but they will have the option to email any comments. The Council will read all comments into the record. The email address is: publiccomments@rockwall.com. As always, you may also watch the City Council meeting live at Rockwall.com/meetings/video.asp.

The CDC Recommendations:

Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.

For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Submitted press release by Lauri Dodd, Public Information Officer / Marketing, City of Rockwall

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