Order in effect Thursday, March 26, at 12:01 a.m. until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:59 p.m.
McKinney, Texas (March 25, 2020) -- The City of McKinney issued a shelter in place order for residents and closed nonessential businesses in an updated local state of disaster declaration for the public health emergency related to the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).
According to the declaration signed by Mayor George Fuller, beginning Thursday, March 26, at 12:01 a.m. until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:59 p.m., all residents should shelter at their place of residence and provide social distancing of at least 6 feet between each person if they go outside. Residents may leave for essential activities, to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses as outlined in the attached order.
The order also requires nonessential businesses to close temporarily. Businesses not listed in the order as essential must close to the public, and residents working for a nonessential business are required to stay home and not travel to their place of employment.
"I am convinced that the risks of underreacting are so much greater than the risks of overreacting, and although we hope for the best, we must be prudent and plan for the worst," said Mayor Fuller. "It is going to take all of us, working together, to ensure that we put the health and safety of our community above all else, and I have no doubt that is what we will do."
The city has made several changes to its facilities' operations and programming. As this information is ever-changing, residents can find the most current information at www.mckinneytexas.org/closures.
While the city has established a dedicated webpage at www.mckinneytexas.org/COVID-19, all residents are highly encouraged to follow the Collin County Health Care Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most current updates and recommendations relating to COVID-19.
Attached: Third Revised Mayoral Declaration Of Local State Of Disaster Due To Public Health Emergency
CITY OF MCKINNEY, TEXAS
THIRD REVISED MAYORAL DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER
DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated COVID-19, has spread through the world and has now been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization; and
WHEREAS,
symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath and, in some cases, the virus has caused death; andWHEREAS,
prudence dictates that extraordinary measures must be taken to contain COVID-19 and prevent its spread throughout the City of McKinney, including the quarantine of individuals, groups of individuals and occupied structures and, additionally, including compelling individuals, groups of individuals, or occupied structures to undergo additional health measures that prevent or control the spread of the virus; andWHEREAS,
Governor Abbott and Collin County have declared a local disaster due to public health emergency; andWHEREAS
, as Mayor, and under state law and local ordinance, I issued two (2) Mayoral Declarations of Local State of Disaster on March 16, 2020; and another on March 17, 2020; andWHEREAS
, thereafter I have been evaluating the health and safety aspects of placing limitations on patron occupancies in restaurants and bars in the City of McKinney to help insure that COVID-19 is contained; andWHEREAS
, on March 24, 2020 Collin County Judge Chris Hill issued his Order regarding COVID-19 to protect the citizens of Collin County; andWHEREAS
, on March 24, 2020 the McKinney City Council convened and provided input to me for managing the health and welfare of McKinney citizens during this local disaster through a mayoral declaration, issued pursuant to the law.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MCKINNEY, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That a local state of disaster due to public health emergency is hereby declared for the City of McKinney, Texas, pursuant to section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code. This Third Revised Declaration supersedes, in its entirety, my Second Revised Declaration of March 17, 2020, which declaration expired by law on March 23, 2020.SECTION 2.
Pursuant to section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster due to public health emergency shall continue for a period of not more than seven (7) days from the effective date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the City Council of the City of McKinney, Texas.SECTION 3.
Pursuant to section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster due to public health emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the City Secretary.SECTION 4.
Pursuant to section 418.108(d) of the Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the City of McKinney¡¯s Emergency Management Plan under McKinney Ordinance 2008-02-013.SECTION 5.
That this declaration authorizes the City to take any actions necessary to promote health and suppress the virus, including the quarantine of persons and occupied structures, examining and regulating hospitals, regulating ingress and egress from the City, regulating ingress and egress to occupied structures, and insuring compliance for those who do not comply with the City¡¯s rules, pursuant to section 122.006 of the Health and Safety Code.SECTION 6.
The City Council of the City of McKinney, the MEDC board of directors, and the MCDC board of directors and their essential and necessary attendees shall be exempt from this Declaration for scheduled public meetings, whether a regular, work session, special or emergency meeting. The stated exempt entities shall use best efforts to provide adequate social distancing for members and attendees during any scheduled meetings, including their closed sessions. Whenever possible, teleconferencing shall be utilized for meetings held under this Section.SECTION 7.
That beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and until Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.:(1) All individuals currently living within McKinney are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. For the purposes of this Declaration, residences include hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably as possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, or to provide or perform Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, all as defined in this Section 7.
(2) All businesses operating within McKinney, except Essential Businesses as defined in below in this Section 7, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within McKinney. For clarity, businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors
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performing activities at their own residences (i.e. working from home). To the greatest extent possible, all Essential Businesses shall comply with the Social Distancing Guidelines attached, including maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and the general public.
(3) All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except as otherwise provided herein. Nothing in this Declaration prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
(4) Restaurants with or without drive-in or drive-through services and microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law.
(5) Religious and worship services may only be provided by video and teleconference. Religious institutions must limit in-person staff to ten (10) people or less when preparing for or conducting video or teleconference services, and all individuals must follow the Social Distancing Guidelines including the six-foot social distancing. Funerals are allowed with appropriate social distancing.
A. Definitions:
(1) For purposes of this Declaration, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following "Essential Activities":
a. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (for example, obtaining medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care professional).
b. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others (for example, food, pet supply, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
c. To engage in outdoor activities, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet (for example, walking, biking, hiking, running, and other exercise activities). Children shall not use playground equipment or any other public recreational structures.
d. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order.
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SECTION 8.
The following are approved Social Distancing Recommendations:(1) Vulnerable Populations: Limit Outings
a. Vulnerable populations include people who are:
1. 60 years old and older.
2. People with certain health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease and weakened immune systems.
b. For vulnerable populations, don¡¯t go to gatherings unless it is essential. Stay home. Avoid people who are sick.
(2) Workplace and Businesses: Minimize Exposure
a. Suspend nonessential employee travel.
b. Ensure employees practice social distancing and do not work within six feet of one another.
c. Urge essential employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
d. Do not require a doctor¡¯s note for employees who are sick.
e. Maximize telecommuting options.
f. Persons who need to be at work to provide essential services of great benefit to the community must take steps in their workplace to minimize risk.
(3) Cancel Non-essential Events
a. Cancel non-essential events.
b. Do not attend any essential or non-essential events or gatherings, if sick.
c. For events that meet the Recommendations herein and which aren¡¯t cancelled, we recommend:
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1. Having hand washing capabilities, hand sanitizers and tissues available.
2. Frequently cleaning high touch surface areas like counter tops and handrails.
3. Finding ways to implement social distancing.
(4) Schools: Safety First
a. Do not have your child attend school if sick.
b. If you have a child with chronic health conditions, consult the child¡¯s doctor about school attendance.
c. Schools should equip all classrooms with hand sanitizers and tissues.
d. Recommend rescheduling or cancelling events that are not essential.
e. Explore remote teaching and online options to continue learning.
f. Schools should develop a plan for citywide school closures, and families should prepare for further closures.
(5) Transit: Cleaning and Protection
a. Increase cleaning of vehicles and high touch surface areas.
b. Provide hand washing/hand sanitizers and tissues in stations and on vehicles.
c. Ensure social distancing practices are implemented to the full extent possible.
(6) Health Care Settings: Avoid as possible, protect the vulnerable
a. Long-term care facilities should have a COVID-19 plan in accordance with CDC or state guidelines.
b. Long-term care facilities should restrict all visitation except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life situations.
c. The general public should avoid going to medical settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, even if you are not ill.
¡¡d. If you are ill, call your health care provider ahead of time, and you may be able to be served by phone.
The best way for all McKinney residents to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:
You can also prepare for the disruption caused by an outbreak. Preparedness actions include:
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SECTION 9.
This Declaration hereby incorporates and enacts the following regulations from the Governor¡¯s Executive Order No. GA-08 regarding the conduct of persons/people and schools:1.Every person shall avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people.
2.People shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged.
3.People shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
4.Schools shall temporarily close.
SECTION 10.
This Declaration hereby incorporates Collin County Judge Chris Hill¡¯s Order of March 24, 2020 and finds it consistent herewith in all respects.SECTION 11.
That this declaration hereby authorizes the use of all lawfully available enforcement tools.SECTION 12. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Declaration commits an offense, punishable by a fine up to $1000.00, and each and every day such violation shall continue shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 13.
That this Declaration shall take effect in accordance with Section 7 above. McKinney City Council Ordinance 2020-03-022 shall remain in effect up until such time.SO DECLARED AND ORDERED
this 25th day of March, 2020.________________________________
George C. Fuller
Mayor