• By Ashleigh Sloop
• Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2020

FORSYTH COUNTY AMENDED DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

FORSYTH COUNTY AMENDED DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease spreading across the globe causing flu-like symptoms, but with markedly higher rates of death, particularly among the elderly and medically vulnerable populations;

WHEREAS the President, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the North Carolina Governor, and state and local health directors have all either required or urged people to practice social distancing and to avoid mass gatherings in order to slow the spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS on March 13, 2020, the Chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaimed a Declaration of a State of Emergency regarding the rapid spread of COVID-19 and its threat to the entire County;

WHEREAS Wake Forest Baptist Health and Novant Health have implored the residents of Forsyth County and its local governments to take the necessary measures to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming our local hospitals and healthcare facilities;

WHEREAS on March 25, 2020, Mayor Joines proclaimed the City of Winston-Salem Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency “Stay-at-Home Order”, effective March 27, 2020, which restricts the movement of people in Winston-Salem, orders the closure of non-essential businesses, and prohibits mass gatherings of over 10 people, with limited exceptions;

WHEREAS on March 27, 2020, the Chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaimed an Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order which adopted the Winston-Salem Stay-at-Home Order, with an effective date of March 27, 2020, and a termination date of April 16, 2020;

WHEREAS on March 27, 2020, after the County had declared its Stay-at-Home Order, Governor Cooper declared a statewide Stay-at-Home Order, with substantially the same terms as the Forsyth County Stay-at-Home Order, and the statewide Stay-at-Home Order remains in effect until April 29, 2020;

WHEREAS on April 9, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 131 which imposed additional social distancing safeguards at retail establishments throughout the State, superseding County requirements, and which took effect on April 13, 2020;

WHEREAS current projections indicate that COVID-19 infections have peaked in the United States and will soon peak in North Carolina, but the danger of COVID-19 persists, and social separation remains necessary;

WHEREAS the mayors or other authorized representatives of the Town of Kernersville, Village of Tobaccoville, and Town of Walkertown have all requested and consented that this amended declaration of a state of emergency extend to their municipalities; and

WHEREAS as a result of the above-described public health emergency, I have determined that an extension of the declaration of a state of emergency is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Forsyth County in order to avoid widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners under Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes and Section 9-21 of the Forsyth County Code of Ordinances, I hereby declare and proclaim the following:

Section 1. The State of Emergency declared March 13, 2020, is hereby reaffirmed and amended as set forth herein.

Section 2. Forsyth County’s adoption of the City of Winston-Salem Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency “Stay-at-Home Order” of March 25, 2020, shall expire at 12:01 am, Thursday, April 16, 2020, and Forsyth County shall be subject to Executive Order 121, the North Carolina Stay-at-Home Order of March 27, 2020, while it remains in effect, and all current and subsequent North Carolina Executive Orders.

Section 3. The emergency area covered by this state of emergency shall include the unincorporated areas of Forsyth County, as well as the Town of Kernersville, Village of Tobaccoville, and Town of Walkertown, at the request and consent of the mayors or authorized representatives of those municipalities.

Section 4. I hereby order all Forsyth County law enforcement officers, public health employees, emergency management personnel, and all other employees subject to our control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the Forsyth County Emergency Operations Plan.

Section 5. Any person violating any prohibition or restriction imposed by this Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with N.C.G.S. 14-288.20A.

Section 6. I hereby order this declaration: (a) to be distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public; (b) to be filed with Clerk to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and (c) to be distributed to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this declaration.

Section 7. This amended declaration shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

DECLARED this the 14th of April, 2020, at 1:00 pm.

David R. Plyler,
Chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners