ORDINANCE NO. 2020 BCCO-14
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Recitals
Whereas, Howard County, along with many other counties and all 50 states, has experienced confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and;
Whereas, COVID–19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness and death and is easily transmitted from person to person, and;
Whereas, on January 31, 2020 the United States Department of Public Health and Human Services
Secretary declared a public emergency for the COVID-19, and;
Whereas, on March 6, 2020 Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued his Declaration of Public Health Emergency
for the State of Indiana for COVID–19, and;
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners of Howard County, pursuant to IC 36-8-2-4 and 5, has the authority to regulate conduct that might endanger public health, safety or welfare and to impose restrictions to prevent the transmission of diseases;
Whereas, due to the potential severity of COVID-19 and the need to take urgent action, the following is effective as of Friday, March 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
NOW, THEREFORE, The Board of Commissioners of Howard County, do hereby:
- 1. Declare that a public health emergency exists in Howard County due to COVID-19. 2. Order that Howard County is placed on “ORANGE” travel alert, permitting only essential
travel, such as to and from work, travel related to medical care, travel for food, groceries,
medication, essential household goods, and hygiene products, and other essential services. 3. For a period of two (2) weeks, only critical essential businesses shall remain open. All
other, non–essential, businesses shall remain closed. 4. Critical essential businesses to remain open, include, but are not limited to:
- Essential City of Kokomo and Howard County government service offices; b. Grocery stores; c. Funeral homes; d. All health care service providers, including doctor offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and
therapy establishments;
Banks, lending institutions and all other related businesses; f. Gas Stations and auto repair businesses, g. Convenience stores; h. “Dollar” stores; i. Day Care facilities; j. Restaurants and bars-carry–out, delivery and drive-up only; k. Utility and Trash Services; I. Airport;
- Postal services/Fed Ex and UPS; n. Veterinarian clinics: 0. Home Improvement/hardware: p. Hotels/motels; 9. Laundromats: 1. Public and Private transportation, including Spirit of Kokomo. s. Agricultural operations; pet stores; t. Legal services; u. Social Service agencies such as Rescue Mission. Bona Vista, CAM and Salvation
Army. 5. For individuals or families that are suffering from addiction or mental health issues, please call
Turning Point at 765-860-8365 to access additional services. 6. For individuals or families who need additional community resources, please call
United Way at 765-457-HELP or goto: searchunitedwayhowardcounty.org. 7. The Board of Commissioners acknowledge the hardship and sacrifice that is
being imposed on the businesses and citizens of Howard County by these closures. These restrictions will be revisited as the COVID-19 circumstances change, and are subject to revision as deemed appropriate for the health and well-being of Howard County citizens.
READ AND ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF MARCH, 2020.
HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Paul Wyman, Poligami Robert B. Bray, Vice President
ach ladd
Jack Dodd, Member
ATTEST:
Martha J. Lake, Howard County Auditor
Supporting Statement of Commissioner Paul G. Wyman:
I want to thank Mayor Moore, Dr. Zent and the Howard County Health Department and other community leaders for their incredible cooperation and working together during these unprecedented times. The commissioners fully understand the burden that this has placed on many citizens in our community. The risk of doing nothing is too great. Therefore, we are erring on the side of protecting the health and well-being of all of our citizens. We ask that all citizens do their part to help us get on the other side of this pandemic. I have witnessed our community rise to the challenge in the face of adversity on many occasions and I believe this time will be no different. Please take time to look after those in need, check on your neighbors and be kind to everyone you encounter. God Bless Howard County.
Supporting Statement of City of Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore:
Due to the heightened situation regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, and the potential severity of the health risk to our citizens, The City of Kokomo joins the Howard County Board of Commissioners in advocating for strong and necessary precautions. We believe these precautions are most appropriate for the protection of our citizens and for the purpose of aggressively mitigating the spread of this deadly virus. We pledge to continue our cooperative effort against this pandemic with not only Howard County but with the State and Federal governments as well, and to keep a unified front against this outbreak. We continue to urge all residents to join us and to adhere to these restrictions to help keep Kokomo and Howard County as safe and healthy as possible.
Supporting Statement of Howard County Public Health Officer Dr. Don Zent:
Due to the evolving situation with the COVID–19 pandemic, the Howard County Health Department is convinced it is absolutely necessary to take more extensive measures to control this outbreak. A major part of this decision is about not only protecting our citizens but also about limiting the burden on the local healthcare system so that it is not overwhelmed and can continue to serve our entire community. We appreciate everyone‘s cooperation and sacrifice to keep Howard County safe.