The City’s goal is to keep all residents and visitors to Palatka safe and healthy during this pandemic. The mask slows the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) that may be transmitted at essential businesses. For example, if you are an asymptomatic carrier, you may not think that you have contracted the virus and inadvertently pass it along to a family member, friend, children or seniors.
PROCLAMATION #2020-03
EXTENDING DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY (ELEVENTH EXTENSION)
A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, EXTENDING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED ON MARCH 16, 2020 BY PROCLAMATION # 2020-01
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis promulgated Executive Order 20-52 and declared a State of Emergency in Florida in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order 20-52, Section (4)(0)(1) provides that each municipality in the State of Florida is authorized to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivisions by law pertaining to the taking of whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the public’s health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 252.38(3) and 252.46 Florida Statutes; and Section 2-2 City of Palatka Code of Ordinances, the City Mayor has the power to issue emergency orders with the force of law; and
WHEREAS, citing reasons of public health and safety, the City of Palatka, by Proclamation signed by its Mayor on March 16, 2020, (Proclamation # 2020-01) the City of Palatka declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY, thereby invoking certain powers and procedures not otherwise available to the City and its authorized agents and employees; and,
WHEREAS, Proclamation #2020-01, by its terms, is effective through 11:00 a.m. on April 6, 2020 but may be extended in seven-day increments by the Mayor or City Manager or City Commission; and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the conditions and factors which posed a risk to the public health, safety, and welfare and which justified Proclamation #2020-01 and the State of Emergency Declared therein, STILL EXIST, and that considerations of Public Health, Safety, and Welfare require the EXTENSION of the Declared STATE OF EMERGENCY as authorized by applicable law; and
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Order COVID-19 continues to be a concern due to increases in the number of positive cases within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Palatka and to limit its potential community spread, it is now necessary for the City of Palatka to implement further restrictions for the general health, safety, and welfare of the community; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends “wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies);” and
WHEREAS, this order is in addition to, and supplements Proclamation #2020 -01 effective March 16, 2020, including any extensions thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED AND DECLARED by Terrill L. Hill, Mayor of the City of Palatka, Florida, as follows:
Section 1. The STATE OF EMERGENCY declared by Proclamation # 2020-02, together with all of the powers and procedures authorized thereby, which was scheduled to expire at 11:00 a.m. on June 22, 2020, is hereby EXTENDED until 11:00 a.m. on June 29, 2020.
Section 2. In accord with the terms of Proclamation # 2020-01, the STATE OF EMERGENCY declared by said Proclamation may be further extended in increments of seven days each by appropriate action of the City Mayor, City Manager, or City Commission.
Section 3. Covering of Nose and Mouth.
a) Except as provided herein, all employees and customers of grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies and restaurants are strongly encouraged to wear a form of covering over their noses and mouths at all times while inside the grocery store, hardware store, pharmacy or restaurant facility. All individuals providing delivery services shall wear a form of covering over their noses and mouths while making deliveries.
b) A covering over the nose and mouth may include a face mask, homemade mask, or other cloth covering, such as a scarf, bandana, handkerchief or other similar cloth covering.
c) In addition to the requirements applicable to grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies and restaurants, employees and customers of all other essential retail and commercial establishments are strongly encouraged to wear a form of covering over the nose and mouth (as described above).
d) All essential retail and commercial establishments are strongly encouraged to implement policies for employees to use other personal protective equipment, such as gloves, subject to the availability of such items.
e) The requirements of this Section shall not apply to any outdoor activity permitted under any applicable City, County, or State order, except as provided herein with respect to persons providing delivery services.
f) Nothing herein shall operate to restrict any employee or customer from accessing any essential retail or commercial establishment to address any emergency or other exigent circumstance, even if a covering over the nose and mouth is not readily accessible at the time of such emergency or other exigent circumstance.
g) Medical and surgical face masks, such as "N95" masks or other similar medical or surgical masks, are in short supply and should be reserved for health care personnel and other first responders with the greatest need for such personal protective equipment. Persons are encouraged to review and comply with the CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines on personal protective equipment, including with respect to the use of a medical or surgical face mask, such as an "N95" mask or other similar medical or surgical mask.
Section 4. Essential Businesses.
All essential businesses are encouraged, subject to availability of necessary sanitizing products to: a) Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers for use by customers and employees; b) Provide disinfecting wipes at points of entrance, cash registers, and/or other appropriate locations, for customers to disinfect carts, shopping baskets, or point of sale terminals, or, alternatively designate staff responsible for disinfecting carts, shopping baskets, point of sale terminals, and other areas as frequently as possible; and c) Implement procedures for custodial or janitorial staff to sanitize frequent touchpoints throughout the day, including point of sale terminals at registers, conveyor belts, door handles, door plates, shelves, and other appropriate locations.
Section 5: This Extension shall be deemed effective at 11:00 a.m. on June 22, 2020 and shall remain in full force and effect until terminated.
DULY DECLARED AND ISSUED THIS 22nd day of JUNE 2020.