Dade County Passes Ordinance Formally Declaring Emergency, Ordering Social Distancing

After several days of consultation among the various government bodies in Dade County, an ordinance declaring a state of emergency exists due to the COVID-19 outbreak was presented by the county health department board and approved by the county commission. The measure requires social distancing, and places a ban on gatherings of 10 persons or more inside the boundaries of the county. Residents are being ordered to remain in their homes as much as is possible.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Dade County. Several surrounding counties and cities have already adopted similar measures after individuals became infected in those counties. Health Department Administrator Pamela Allen said she didn't want to wait for someone to become infected before taking action.

"I'm just trying to protect our county, if I can," said Allen.

The ordinance goes into effect at 8 a.m., April 1, 2020, will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., April 24. The order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more persons exempts educational institutions, daycare facilities, essential business operations, grocery stores, municipal facilities, and any other facilities/activities that cannot be constitutionally shut down and can demonstrate a sufficient mitigation plan for the spread of infectious disease is in place.

Follow this link to view the ordinance in full: https://www.greenfieldvedette.com/pages/view/dade-county-covid-19-health-ordinance-passed-march-31-2020

The order includes a provision requiring all eating establishments close their dining rooms and that customers by served via drive-through, curbside pick-up, or delivery options. This reinforces a similar measure already in effect.

Businesses are ordered to consider closing to the public unless they have mitigation plan to prevent the spread of infectious disease in place, including: the prevention of gatherings of 10 or more people on the premises, assuring spacing of at least 6 ft between individuals, frequent hand washing by employees, regular cleaning of commonly touched surfaces/items, and limited entry by vendors, guests, and drivers from outside Dade County.

Residents of the county are being ordered to stay home as much as possible, avoid public places except for essential business (obtaining food, medicine, medical treatment, and participation in individual outdoor recreation), limiting time in gatherings of more than 2-9 individuals, have no social gatherings with 10 or more individuals, practice good personal hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or with hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol, and cleaning/disinfecting commonly touched surfaces on a regular basis.

Those found to be in violation of the ordinance will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable but up to a year in jail or $1,000 fine or both.

For more information, contact the Dade County Health Department (telephone: 417-637-2345).