DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WHEREAS, beginning in December, 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated which causes the disease COVID-19, has spread through the world and has now been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization; and WHEREAS, of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. In some cases the virus has caused death; and WHEREAS, extraordinary measures must be taken to contain COVID-19 and prevent its spread throughout Dallas County, including the barming of community gatherings of over 500 people and, additionally, potentially requiring individuals, groups of individuals, or property to undergo additional measures that prevent or control the spread of disease; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS: 1. That a local state of disaster for public health emergency is hereby declared for Dallas County, Texas, pursuant to section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code. Pursuant to section 418.108(b) of the Government Code, the state of disaster for public health emergency shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Dallas County, Texas. Pursuant to section 418.108(c) of the Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster for public health emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be ?led with the County Clerk. Pursuant to section 418.108(d) of the Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the Dallas County emergency management plan. That this proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance. DECLARED this 12th day of March, 2020. Clay Lewi nkins Dallas Co Judge DALLAS COUNTY ORDER OF COUNTY JUDGE CLAY JENKINS DATE ORDER ISSUED: March 12, 2020 Summary: The virus that causes 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is easily transmitted through person to person contact, especially in group settings, and it is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed to protect the ability of public and private health care providers to handle the in?ux of new patients and safeguard public health and safety. Because of the risk of the rapid spread of the virus, and the need to protect the most vulnerable members of the community, this Order prohibits community gatherings, of 500 persons or more anywhere in Dallas County beginning at 11 am. on March 13, 2020, and continuing seven days through 11:00 am. on March 20, 2020, as de?ned by Section 3 herein. For all other gatherings, the Of?ce of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority strongly recommends following the social distancing protocols attached to this Order, including canceling, rescheduling, or not attending events with more than 250 persons. Additionally, the Of?ce of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority strongly urges high-risk individuals, as de?ned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to cancel, reschedule, or not attend events that will have or will likely have 10 or more people. UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 108, DALLAS COUNTY JUDGE CLAY JENKINS ORDERS: 1. Effective as of 11:00 am. on Friday, March 13, 2020, and continuing until 11:00 am. on March 20, 2020, public or private Community Gatherings (as de?ned in Section 3 below) are prohibited anywhere in Dallas County. 2. In addition, the Of?ce of the Dallas County Judge and the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services (?Health Authority?) strongly recommends canceling, rescheduling, or not attending events with more than 250 persons. The Of?ce of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority strongly urges organizations that serve high-risk populations to cancel gatherings of more than 10 people. These recommendations are based on the social distancing practices attached to this Order as well as the ?Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local Transmission" issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Of?ce of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority urges people to not attend non- essential gatherings during the duration of this Order in order to help slow down the spread of the virus. 3. De?nitions: a. For purposes of this Order, a ?Community Gathering? is any indoor or outdoor event or convening, subject to the exceptions and clari?cations below, that brings together or is likely to bring together ?ve-hundred (500) or more persons at the same time in a single room or other single con?ned or enclosed space, such as an auditorium, theatre, stadium (indoor or outdoor), arena or event center, meeting hall, conference center, large cafeteria, or any other con?ned indoor or con?ned outdoor space. DALLAS COUNTY b. An outdoor ?Community Gathering" under this Order is limited to events in con?ned outdoor spaces, which means an outdoor space that is enclosed by a fence, physical barrier, or other structure and (ii) where people are present and they are within arm's length of one another for extended penods. c. This Order also does not prohibit gatherings of people in multiple, separate enclosed spaces in a single building such as a multiplex movie theater, school or office tower, so long as 500 people are not present in any single space at the same time. This Order also does not prohibit the use of enclosed spaces where 500 or more people may be present at different times during the day, so long as 500 or more people are not present in the space at the same time. For any gathering covered by this subsection the Office of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority strongly encourages compliance with the attached Social Distancing Recommendations, including providing hand sanitizer and tissues and increasing cleaning of commonly touched surfaces. d. For purposes of clarity, a ?Community Gathering? does not include the following so long as visitors are generally not within arm?s length of one another for extended periods: i. spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit or waiting for transit such as airports, bus stations or terminals; (ii) of?ce space or residential buildings; grocery stores, shopping malls, or other retail establishments where large numbers of people are present but it is unusual for them to be within arm?s length of one another for extended periods; and (iv) hospitals and medical facilities. In all such settings, the Of?ce of the Dallas County Judge and the Health Authority recommends following the attached Social Distancing Recommendations, and personal hygiene measures such as hand sanitizer and tissues should be provided when possible. 4. This Order shall be effective until 11:00 am. on March 20, 2020, or until it is either rescinded, superseded, or amended pursuant to applicable law. 5. The County of Dallas must provide copies of this Order by posting on the Dallas County Health and Human Services website. In addition, the owner, manager, or operator of any facility that is likely to be impacted by this Order is strongly encouraged to post a copy of this Order onsite and to provide a copy to any member of the public asking for a copy. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order. IT IS SO ORDERED CLAY JENKINS DALLAS COUNTY JUDGE DALLAS COUNTY Social Distancing Recommendations 1) Vulnerable Populations: Limit Outings Vulnerable populations include people who are: 0 60 years old and older. 0 People with certain health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease and weakened immune systems. 0 For vulnerable populations, don't go to gatherings (of 10 people or more) unless it is essential. If you can telecommute, you should. Avoid people who are sick. 2) Workplace and Businesses: Minimize Exposure - Suspend nonessential employee travel. - Minimize the number of employees working within arm?s length of one another, including minimizing or canceling large in-person meetings and conferences. 0 Urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits. 0 Do not require a doctor?s note for employees who are sick. 0 Consider use of telecommuting options. 0 Some people need to be at work to provide essential services of great benefit to the community. They can take steps in their workplace to minimize risk. 3) Large Gatherings: Cancel Non-essential Events . Recommend cancelling or postponing large gatherings, such as concerts, sporting events, conventions or large community events. 0 Do not attend any events or gatherings if sick. . For events that aren?t cancelled, we recommend: 0 Having hand washing capabilities, hand sanitizers and tissues available. 0 Frequently cleaning high touch surface areas like counter tops and hand rails. 0 Finding ways to create physical space to minimize close contact as much as possible. 4) Schools: Safety First . Do not have your child attend school if sick. . lf y0u have a child with chronic health conditions, consult the child?s doctor about school attendance. Schools should equip all classrooms with hand sanitizers and tissues. Recommend rescheduling or cancelling medium to large events that are not essential. Explore remote teaching and online options to continue learning. Schools should develop a plan for citywide school closures, and families should prepare for potential closures.