HomeMy WebLinkAbout200317 -- College_Station_COVID-19_Disaster_Declaration
DECLARATION OF DISASTER
WHEREAS, the City of College Station on the 17th day of March, 2020, has identified an
imminent threat of a public health emergency resulting from coronavirus disease 2019, now
designated SARS-CoV2, (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, the virus causing COVID-19 was first identified
during an outbreak detected in Wuhan, China; and
WHEREAS, the symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe illness and cause further
complications including death; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 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, the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, declared COVID-19 a pandemic;
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 Mayor of the City of College Station has determined extraordinary measures
must be taken to contain and prevent COVID-19 from spreading, to alleviate people from suffering
and to protect life throughout the City of College Station; and
WHEREAS, this state of disaster requires 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
COLLEGE STATION:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared pursuant to §418.108(a) of the Texas
Government Code.
2. Pursuant to §418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall
continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration,
unless continued or renewed by the City Council of College Station.
City of College Station
COVID-19 Disaster Declaration Page 2 of 2
3. Pursuant to §418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state
of disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with
the City Secretary.
4. Pursuant to §418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state
of disaster activates the, City of College Station’s Emergency Management Plan.
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 §122.006 of the Health and Safety
Code.
6. That this declaration hereby recommends the size of gatherings to not more than ten
(10) people and recommends the cancellation of all such gatherings until further notice.
A “gathering” refers generally to a scheduled event or common endeavor where more
than ten (10) persons are present in a confined space, room, or area.
7. In accordance with §418.173 of the Texas Government Code, 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.
8. That this declaration hereby authorizes the use of all lawfully available enforcement
tools.
9. That this proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.
DECLARED this 17th day of March, 2020.
APROVED: ATTEST:
___________________ ___________________
Mayor City Secretary
APROVED:
___________________
City Attorney