York County declares a COVID-19 state of emergency. Here’s what that decision means.
York County now has a declared state of emergency.
The first virtual York County Council meeting took a little more than five minutes on Tuesday afternoon. Council members voted unanimously to declare a county state of emergency due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The emergency ordinance implements emergency operations plans and asks for residents to voluntarily stay at home.
The declaration recognizes the coronavirus threat at “imminent, and extraordinary emergency measures are deemed necessary to cope with the existing and anticipated situations jeopardizing the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of and visitors to York County.”
The declaration gives the county manager authority to suspend existing laws and regulations on how county business operates, use all available county government resources to cope with the COVID-19 emergency and transfer personnel or functions within county agencies for emergency service.
The manager also can contract and compensate for public and private goods and services, suspend or limit non-emergency activities, prohibit public assemblies, provide for temporary housing availability and activate the already developed 2019 Emergency Operations Plan.
The emergency ordinance directs York County citizens to follow the latest stay-at-home recommendation from Gov. Henry McMaster. On Monday McMaster ordered a home or work order, offering just a handful of reasons for state residents to leave their homes.
The emergency ordinance will remain in place until council next meets April 20, and could extend further. Council also voted to post its emergency operations plan and other COVID-19 updates on the main page at yorkcountygov.com.
Council met via a ZOOM meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Most council members and top level county officials logged in from home, though some participated at the government complex or other work sites. Council voted prior to Tuesday to conduct virtual meetings until the coronavirus threat and social distancing guidelines are past.
Councilman William “Bump” Roddey wore the sentiment of many in the area during the first virtual meeting, his shirt displaying #STAYHOME.
