TOWN OF SAUGUS BOARD OF HEALTH DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
TOWN OF SAUGUS BOARD OF HEALTH
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, the prevalence of which is increasing rapidly throughout the world, inclusive of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization designated the COVID-19 outbreak a Pandemic Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States announced a national declaration of emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, Governor Baker announced emergency actions to respond to the evolving COVID-19 public health emergency impacting the Commonwealth, including prohibitions on public gatherings of twenty-five or more people and prohibiting on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants from March 17, 2020 until April 6, 2020, as well as suspension of elementary and secondary school educational operations from March 17, 2020 until April 6, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 13, which designated certain COVID-19 Essential Services, as defined in the Order, temporarily closed the bricks-and-mortar premises of businesses and organizations that do not provide COVID-19 Essential Services, and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people; through April 7, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 21, which amended the earlier list of COVID-19 Essential Services and extended the operation of COVID-19 Order No. 13 through May 4, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 30, which extended the provisions of Order No. 13, as amended by Order No. 21, until May 18, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Health of the Town of Saugus, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health has determined that COVID-19 presents a major disaster which poses an immediate threat to public health, safety, and general welfare of people residing both within and outside of Saugus; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Health of the Town of Saugus have determined that immediate public action is needed in order to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19 by and among the people of Saugus; and
WHEREAS, it is critical to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and welfare of the people of Saugus; and
WHEREAS, declaring a state of emergency will facilitate and expedite the use of resources to protect persons from the impacts of COVID-19, including but not limited to emergency expenditures pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 31 and limitations on operating hours and access to public buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Health of the Town of Saugus recommended that a state of emergency be declared in the Town of Saugus;
WHEREAS, declaring a public health state of emergency pursuant to 310 CMR 11.05 will facilitate and expedite the ability of the Board of Health of the Town of Saugus to take action it deems necessary to meet this emergency, including actions pursuant to M.G.L. c. 111, § 30, 95 through 105 and 122; and
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Board of Health of the Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, hereby declare that as of Friday May 1, 2020 a state of emergency exists in the Town of Saugus.
This declaration of emergency shall remain in effect until further notice is given, pursuant to our judgment that the conditions leading to this declaration no longer exist.
May 1, 2020 William Heffernan
Date: _____________________ ____________________________________
Name: William Heffernan
Title: Chair, Board of Health