OV Mayor Winfield issues proclamation declaring local emergency

Published on March 17, 2020

Covid-19 response and update

Earlier today, Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield issued a formal proclamation, declaring a local emergency and outlining recommendations for Oro Valley residents and business owners. Today’s proclamation is a strong advisory—not a mandate—that restaurants and similar businesses enact measures to implement social distancing, and rely on the use of delivery and take-out service.

“I appreciate the restaurants and businesses that have already taken the initiative to put social distancing into practice by adjusting their services and encouraging more take-out and delivery orders,” said Winfield. “We understand that this pandemic is already having a tremendous impact on our families, schools and businesses. This proclamation helps bring our community into alignment and positions us to take any appropriate actions in the interest of public health.”

The proclamation also affirms that Mayor and Council will continue to govern, but may impose procedural modifications at Town Meetings, or meeting cancellations, that may be enacted for the good of the public.

Oro Valley’s proclamation is in keeping with other jurisdictions in Pima County, with the goal of taking a regional approach to dealing with this pandemic.

Click here to view a PDF of the signed proclamation of emergency.(PDF, 86KB)

The full text of the proclamation follows.

TOWN OF ORO VALLEY MAYORAL PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the Governor of the State of Arizona, Douglas A. Ducey, determined that the COVID-19 outbreak presents conditions in the State of Arizona that justify declaring a State of Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, found and proclaimed that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constituted a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and their state and local counterparts, in accordance with guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommend that for the next eight weeks, in-person events consisting of more than ten people be canceled or postponed in an effort to control the COVID-19 outbreak; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Oro Valley wishes to do all it can to protect its citizens; and out of an abundance of caution will continue to plan and prepare for event and facility closures, modified staffing plans, work-from-home programs, and enhanced communications to its citizens to ensure effective continuity of operations of essential government functions; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joseph C. Winfield encourages the greater Oro Valley community to follow the guidelines provided by the CDC, the President of the United States, and state and local officials, and is hopeful that through vigilant compliance, we can reduce the risk of our residents contracting and spreading the COVID-19 virus.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to A.R.S. § 26-307 A.R.S. § 26-311, and Oro Valley Town Code 2-1-3, the elements of which are met under the above described circumstances, the Mayor of the Town of Oro Valley, Joseph C. Winfield, declares a local emergency in the Town of Oro Valley, Arizona.

IT IS PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that in order to flatten the curve of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, ensure area hospitals can treat all affected patients, and maximize available funding to the Town and to area businesses that may be affected by the pandemic, as follows:

  1. Restaurants, cafes, coffeehouses and other similar businesses and establishments are strongly advised to take measures to implement social distancing, and instead rely on the use of delivery service, curbside-service, or drive-through service, and to use other appropriate precautions so as to mitigate the potential transmission of COVID-19; and
  2. Public gathering places where groups in excess of ten congregate, are strongly advised to take measures to implement social distancing; and
  3. Members of the public are urged to follow the guidelines of the CDC and state and regional health agencies to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 to themselves, their loved ones, or members of the public such as the following measures:
    1. Employing social distancing and avoiding groups of ten or more people; and
    2. Avoiding contact with those with elevated risks associated with COVID-19; and
    3. Staying home and contacting a medical provider if you or others in your household feel sick; and
    4. Staying home and away from other people if you are an older person and/or you have a serious underlying condition that can put you at increased risk; and
    5. Practicing good personal hygiene, as recommended by the CDC and Pima County Health Department.
  4. The Mayor and Council will continue to govern, but the Mayor may impose by Proclamation procedural modifications at Town Meetings, or meeting cancellations, that may be enacted for the good of the public until the emergency is abated, and will communicate those changes to the public.
  5. Town staff is directed, and the Town Manager is hereby authorized, in consultation with the Pima County Health Department, to take any and all actions as necessary to combat this emergency; and
  6. These emergency regulations shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the emergency declared herein abates and is withdrawn, or a subsequent Proclamation is issued with amendments.
  7. In accordance with ARS 26-307 (B), this proclamation shall be effective when a copy is filed in the office of the Town Clerk. All existing laws and rules in conflict of the same are hereby suspended during the time and to the extent that they conflict.

Dated this 17th day of March, 2020