Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency

Mar 18, 2020

DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been recognized globally as a contagious respiratory virus; and,

WHEREAS, Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and can range from mild to severe illness; and,

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbot declared a state of disaster for allco unties in Texas; and,

WHEREAS, Similarly, the County Judge of Hidalgo County, Texas, through the authority provided to this office in the Texas Government Code, Chapter 418.108, has declared a state of disaster for the County of Hidalgo on March 17, 2020; and,

WHEREAS, The State of Texas has already taken numerous steps to prepare for COVID-19, including coordinating preparedness efforts across state agencies, and working with local partners to promote appropriate mitigation efforts; and,

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus spreads between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and,

WHEREAS, the continued spread of COVID-19 presents an imminent threat of widespread illness, which requires emergency measures be taken; and,

WHEREAS, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Section 418.lo~·a.@horizes the City, Mayor of a municipality to declare a local state of disaster, and exercise t_he·-powers granted ·therein on an appropriate local scale; and,

WHEREAS, a declaration local state of disaster shall activate the City of.IYJerceaes’ emergency management plan and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance under the declaration. The appropriate preparedness and response aspects of the plan is activated and takes effect immediately after the local state of disaster is declared; and,

WHEREAS, a declaration of local state of disaster and public health emergency permits he ability to take measures to reduce the possibility of exposure to disease, prevent the spread of and control the risk of disease, in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare of residents of the City of Mercedes; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Mercedes has determined that extraordinary and immediate measures must be taken to respond quickly, prevent and alleviate the suffering of people exposed to and those infected with the virus, as well as those that could potentially be infected or impacted by COVID-19 throughout the City of Mercedes, Texas.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MERCEDES, COUNTY OF HIDALGO, STATE OF TEXAS THAT:

1. That a Local State of Disaster and Pub lic Health Emergency is hereby declared for the City of Mercedes, County of Hidalgo, Texas pursuant to Chapter 418.108 of the Texas Government Code; and,
2. That the City’s Emergency Management Plan has been activated; and,
3. That this Loca l State of Disaster shall contin ue for a period of not more than seven days from t he date hereof, unless cont inued or extended by consent of the City Commission of the City of Mercedes, County of Hidalgo, Texas; and,
4. Pursuant to the authority granted under the laws of the State of Texas, this declaration authorizes the City of Mercedes to t ake actions necessary to protect the hea lth and safety of persons in the City, including but not limited to the control of ingress to and egress from a disast er area under the jurisdiction and authority of t he City’s Mayor, and control the movement of persons and the occupancy of premises in that area; and,
5. That this Proclamation shall take effect immediat ely from and after its issuance.