Additional Orders Issued in County’s Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar held a news conference today announcing the signing of two new Emergency Orders related to the county’s response to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The first Emergency Order is issued following the Centers for Disease Control guidance issued on March 15, 2020. All large events and mass gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited in Broome County. Examples of large events or mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other types of assemblies. This order from Broome County does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses.
The CDC issued the following 3/15/2020:
“Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.”
The second Emergency Order signed by the County Executive directs daycare facilities in Broome County to prioritize open and new slots to children of essential employees.
Essential employees are defined as employees in the public and private sectors with duties and responsibilities, the performance of which is essential to the public’s health, safety and welfare. Examples include, but are not limited to, first responders, health care workers, government employees or sanitation workers.
