HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2020 03C Mayoral Proclamation of Emergency and Recommendation; Wearing MasksB US INE S S O F T HE C I T Y C O UNC IL
YAK I M A, WAS HI NG T O N
AG E ND A S TAT E M E NT
I tem No. 3.C .
F or Meeting of : J une 2, 2020
I T E M T IT L E :Resolution ratif ying Mayoral P roclamation of emergency and
recommendation on wearing masks
S UB M IT T E D B Y:A lex Meyerhof f , I nterim City Manager
S UM M ARY E X P L ANAT IO N:
On March 12, 2020, the Mayor issued a P roclamation of Civil Emergency and Order (referred to
as Proclamation No. 2020-01) regarding a state of emergency in the City of Yakima due to the
coronavirus disease 2019 ("C O V I D-19"), and the C ity C ouncil ratif ied the emergency
proclamation at a special meeting on March 13, 2020. Mayoral Proclamations subsequently have
been issued and ratified by the City Council regarding extensions of the civil emergency due to
C O V I D-19.
On J une 1, 2020, the Yakima Health District O f f icer issued a “Health Officer D irective for
Masking in P ublic”, a copy of which is attached.
A s a result of the occurrence of the C O V I D -19 outbreak and the emergency that exists, the
Mayor has recommended wearing face masks to assist in stopping the spread of C O V I D-19.
A ttached for the C ouncil’s consideration is a R esolution ratif ying the Mayoral P roclamation of
Civil Emergency and R ecommendation on wearing masks. I f ratif ied by the C ouncil, the attached
Mayoral Proclamation and Recommendation on wearing masks continues until 11:59 P M on
Tuesday, J uly 7, 2020.
I T E M B UD G E T E D:NA
S T RAT E G I C P RIO RIT Y:P ublic Safety
AP P RO V E D F O R S UB M I T TAL B Y T HE C IT Y M ANAG E R
RE C O M M E ND AT IO N:
AT TAC HM E NT S:
D escr iption Upload D ate Type
Mayoral Proclamation No. 2020-06 6/1/2020 Presentation
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Resolution - Mayoral Proclamation No. 2020-06 6/1/2020 Resolution
Yakima Health District Directive - Masking in Public 6/1/2020 Backup Material
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Proclamation No. 2020-06 Regarding Emergency and Recommendation to Wear Masks - 1
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION OF CIVIL EMERGENCY
AND RECOMMENDATION
Proclamation No. 2020-06
Mayoral Proclamation of Emergency and Recommendation on Wearing Masks
City of Yakima, Washington
June 2, 2020
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Public Health and
Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the novel
coronavirus which has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-05,
proclaiming a State of Emergency for all counties throughout the State of Washington as a result
of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and the confirmed person-to-person spread of
COVID-19 in Washington State, and has issued subsequent amendatory proclamations, including
Proclamation 20.25.4 entitled “Transition from ‘Stay Home – Stay Healthy’ to ‘Safe Start – Stay
Healthy’ County-by-County Phased Reopening” issued May 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Yakima County Department of Health has reported that there are
numerous confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Yakima County and the City of Yakima and that that
number of COVID-19 cases has continued to increase; and
WHEREAS, the Proclamation and Order by the Mayor of the City of Yakima dated
March 12, 2020 (here referred to as Proclamation No. 2020-01) declared a state of emergency in
the City of Yakima due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and subsequent Mayoral
Proclamations have extended the state of emergency, which Proclamations are incorporated by
reference; and
WHEREAS, the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to threaten the health and safety of
persons and property within Yakima, and also is having a significant economic impact on Yakima
County and the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, in the judgment of the Mayor, the current situation involving COVID-19
qualifies as a civil emergency; now, therefore,
IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED:
1. Determination of Emergency. A state of emergency currently exists and
continues to exist in the City of Yakima as a result of the continued effects of COVID-19.
Recommendation to Wear Face Coverings in Public Places. As a result of the
occurrence of this outbreak and the emergency that exists, the Mayor recommends wearing face
masks to assist in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
2.
3. Presentation, Ratification, Termination. This Proclamation and
Recommendation shall at the earliest practicable time pursuant to YMC 6.06.030 be presented to
the City Council for ratification and confirmation, modification, or rejection, but in no event more
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Proclamation No. 2020-06 Regarding Emergency and Recommendation to Wear Masks - 2
than seventy-two (72) hours after the proclamation, and if rejected, shall be void. This
Proclamation and Recommendation shall remain in effect until such time as it is removed by a
subsequent City Proclamation, Recommendation or Resolution when it is determined that the
extraordinary measures are no longer required for the protection of the public peace, and safety
and welfare, or when the City Council shall either modify, renew or discontinue this Proclamation
and Recommendation; or until 11:59 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, whichever occurs first.
DATED this 2nd day of June, 2020.
Patricia Byers, Mayor
of the City of Yakima
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RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-
A RESOLUTION ratifying Mayoral Proclamation of Emergency and Recommendation on
Wearing Masks
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Public Health and
Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the novel
coronavirus (abbreviated “COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-05,
proclaiming a State of Emergency for all counties throughout the State of Washington as a result
of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and in Washington State, and has issued
subsequent amendatory proclamations; and
WHEREAS, the Yakima County Department of Health has reported that there are
numerous confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Yakima County and the City of Yakima and that that
number of COVID-19 cases has continued to increase; and
WHEREAS, the Proclamation and Order by the Mayor of the City of Yakima dated
March 12, 2020 (here referred to as Proclamation No. 2020-01) declared a state of emergency in
the City of Yakima due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and subsequent Mayoral
Proclamations have extended the state of emergency; and
WHEREAS, the coronavirus (COVID 19) continues to threaten the health and safety of
persons and property within Yakima, and also is having a significant economic impact on Yakima
County and the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, in the judgment of the Mayor, the current situation involving COVID-19
qualifies as a civil emergency; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
1. The City Council of the City of Yakima ratifies and confirms the Mayoral Proclamation of
Emergency and Recommendation on Wearing Masks in which as a result of the occurrence
of the COVID-19 outbreak and the emergency that exists, the Mayor recommends wearing
face masks to assist in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
2. The Mayoral Proclamation of Emergency and Recommendation on Wearing Masks
(Proclamation No. 2020-06) continues until 11:59 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 2nd day of June, 2020.
Patricia Byers, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
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Yakima Health District
1210 Ahtanum Ridge Drive
Union Gap, WA 98903
Phone (509) 249-6532
Fax (509) 249-6632
http://www.yakimapublichealth.org
June 1, 2020
HEALTH OFFICER DIRECTIVE FOR MASKING IN PUBLIC
WHEREAS on February 29, 2020, Governor Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency within the
State of Washington due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a state of pandemic due to
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS on March 12, 2020, Yakima County declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19;
and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a National Emergency due to
COVID-19, and on March 22, 2020 a Major Disaster was declared for the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Inslee imposed a “Stay Home – Stay Healthy” Order
throughout Washington State prohibiting all people in Washington State from leaving their homes or
place of residence except (1) to conduct or participate in essential activities and /or (2) for employment
in essential services, thus precluding participation in social, spiritual, and recreational gatherings of
any kind regardless of the number of participants, and closing all non-essential businesses in
Washington State; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2020, Governor Inslee issued a Proclamation modifying his “Stay Home –
Stay Healthy” Order, with a phased-in approach to re-open Washington, which will increase the
number of interactions among Yakima County residents and the frequency of their encounters
with non-household members, and will increase their risk of exposure to persons with infect ious
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of Yakima
County and its local cities and towns places it at risk for serious health complications, including
death, from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, a large surge in the number of persons with serious infections can compromise the
ability of the local healthcare system to deliver necessary healthcare to the public; and
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WHEREAS, individuals can be infected and contagious before or even without developing symptoms
(pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic), and the evidence suggests a significant number of infections
may be transmitted in this manner; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) confirmed that
a significant number of individuals who are infected remain asymptomatic and that as many as
25 percent of these individuals may contribute to transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus; and
WHEREAS, one key transmission method for COVID-19 is respiratory droplets that individuals expel
when they sneeze, cough, shout, sing, talk or breathe; and
WHEREAS, the CDC recommends that members of the public should cover their noses and
mouths with a cloth face covering to prevent inadvertently spreading COVID-19 while
interacting with others outside their homes in public settings where other social distancing
measures are difficult to maintain; and wearing a fabric mask can help prevent the spread of
infection to others when the mask is worn by someone who already is infected with the virus
that causes COVID-19, even if they don't have symptoms. The mask could help by blocking
infectious droplets from spreading when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes , breathes
or speaks; and
WHEREAS, there is an ongoing national shortage of medical grade masks, surgical masks, and N-95
respirators that need to be prioritized for healthcare providers, and health officials are increasingly
urging non-medical workers to wear non-medical grade cloth face coverings to help curb the spread of
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, workers in essential businesses and other frontline employees must be protected because
they face greater exposure and risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their frequent in person contact
with members of the public and inability to work from home, and widespread mask use may decrease
the risk of spread from someone with unrecognized infection; and
WHEREAS, there is a long history of racism and discriminatory policies that Native, People of Color,
immigrant and refugee, LGBTQ, homeless, and other marginalized communities have faced in
Washington state that may impact an individual’s ability to feel safe while wearing a face covering;
and
WHEREAS, Yakima County government is dedicated to providing all its residents with fair and equal
access to services, opportunities, and protection; inviting and encouraging public engagement; and
reflecting consideration for cultural differences; and
WHEREAS, the Revised Code of Washington, Title 70.05.070(2)-(3), requires and empowers the local
health officer to take such action as is necessary to maintain health and to control and prevent the
spread of any contagious or infectious diseases within the jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Administrative Code, Title 246-100-036, requires the local health officer,
when necessary, to institute disease control measures as he or she deems necessary based on his or her
professional judgment, current standards of practice, and the best available medical and scientific
information; and
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WHEREAS, the Washington Administrative Code, Title 246-101-425 requires members of the general
public to cooperate with the implementation of infection control measures.
Based upon the above, as the Local Health Officer, I hereby find that directing the population of
Yakima County to wear face coverings in public places is reasonable and conducive to
maintaining health and to controlling and preventing throughout Yakima County COVID-19, a
contagious and infectious disease.
EFFECTIVE on June 3rd, 2020, as the Local Health Officer I hereby DIRECT as follows:
FACE COVERING DIRECTIVE
A. All individuals at indoor or confined public settings must wear face coverings over their
noses and mouths if they are likely to be in contact with another individual who does not share their
household and distancing of approximately six feet is not able to be maintained. At this time, because
it is still important to conserve medical-grade or N95 respirators for health care workers, unless a
particular health reason requires it, individuals should use fabric coverings, such as cloth face masks,
scarves and bandana coverings or other material as recommended by CDC. Cloth face masks must be
worn properly in order to avoid contaminating the hands or face of the user. Before putting on a mask
and after removing a mask, an individual should clean their hands with alcohol-based hand rub or
soap and water and change masks when moist and wash after use. While in use, avoid touching the
mask and clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water any time the mask must be
adjusted or touched in any way . Worn masks may be contaminated with infectious agents.
B. The following individuals do not need to comply with this Directive:
1. Any child aged two years or less;
2. Any child aged 12 years or less without parental or caregiver supervision of the use of face
coverings to avoid misuse;
3. Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face
covering;
4. Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication or
an individual who is communicating with a person who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements
as part of communication;
5. Any individual who has been advised by their personal medical care provider that wearing a
face covering may pose a risk to that individual for health related reasons;
6. Any individual who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable
to remove the face covering without assistance.
C. This Directive applies to any indoor or confined public setting where a person will be in within
six feet of another individual, who does not share the same household, and includes, but is not limited
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to the following sectors:
1. Groceries, pharmacies, and other retail that sells food and beverage products, including but not
limited to grocery stores, corner stores and convenience stores (including liquor stores that sell food),
farmers’ markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, big box stores that sell groceries
and essentials and similar food retail establishments.
2. Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply
stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, garden stores and nurseries that
support food cultivation and production, office supply stores that support working-from-home, and
home appliance retailers.
3. Restaurant carry-out and quick-serve food operations – including food preparation, carry-out,
and delivery food employees.
4. Cannabis retail and dietary supplement retail stores.
5. Tobacco and vapor sellers.
6. Buses, and other forms of public transportation.
D. Nothing in this Directive reduces or eliminates the requirements imposed by Directives and
Orders from the Local Health Officer, Governor, or other regulatory local, state, or federal agency
including employer specific directives from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
E. Face covering use does not replace the need to practice physical distancing (staying away from
ill people, staying home and avoiding all non-essential activities and contact with others), frequent
handwashing, and avoiding touching of the face;
F. Violation of this Directive does not create grounds to stop, detain, issue a citation, arrest, or
prosecute individuals who do not comply with it. This Directive may and should be used to educate,
encourage, and persuade individuals to wear face coverings.
G. All commercial establishments in Yakima County are directed to post signage advising
individuals to wear face coverings on the premises, and to make staff and customers accountable for
wearing masks.
I strongly urge all people in Yakima County to voluntarily comply with this
Directive without delay.
This Directive shall expire upon determination by the Local Health Officer that there is no
longer a need for face coverings due to COVID-19.
Signed and directed this 1st day of June, 2020 by
Teresa Everson, MD, MPH
Health Officer, Yakima Health District.
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