Coronavirus: Robert Lee Mayor Declares Disaster

ROBERT LEE, TX – The Mayor of Robert Lee declared a state of disaster Thursday due to the Coronavirus threat.

According to the disaster declaration, the declaration activates the city's emergency management plan and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance. 

During the next seven days the city demands no crowds of more than 50 people besides government owned buildings, public schools, health car facilities, residential buildings, and places of worship. 

If residents have underlying conditions then they are asked to not be around more than 10 people. 

The city will meet again in 7 days to determine the next steps. 

The following is the declaration: 

CITY OF ROBERT LEE, TEXAS
MAYORAL DECLARATION OF LOCAL STA TE OF DISASTER 
DUE TO PUBLIC HEAL TH EMERGENCY 

WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS­CoV2 which causes the disease COVID-19, has been declared a global pandemic by the World 
Health Organization; and 

WHEREAS, the symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, fever, and shortness of breath 
that may result from mild to severe illness and cause further complications including death; and 

WHEREAS, COVID-19 virus mainly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and 

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a State of 
National Emergency for the United States of America; and 

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott issued a proclamation certifying that COVID-19 poses an imminent threat of disaster in the state and declaring a state of disaster for all counties in Texas; and 

WHEREAS, the City of Robert Lee, Texas, is taking extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of this potentially devastating disease in our community; and 

WHEREAS, said state of disaster requires that certain emergency protective measures 
be taken pursuant to the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 relating to Emergency Management and 
Public Health, pursuant to Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROBERT LEE, TEXAS:

SECTION 1. That a local state of disaster for public health emergency is hereby declared 
for the City of Robert Lee, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code. 

SECTION 2. That pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code the state of disaster for public health emergency shall continue for a period of not more than seven (7) days from the date of this declaration, unless continued or renewed by the City Council of the City of Robert Lee, Texas.

SECTION 3. That pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code this declaration of a local state of disaster for public health emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the City Secretary. 

SECTION 4. That pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the City of Robert Lee, Texas, emergency management plan, and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance under the declaration. 

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, regulating ingress and egress from the City, regulating ingress and egress to occupied  structures, establishment of quarantine stations, emergency hospitals, and other hospitals, 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. The City of Robert Lee hereby declares that those persons under investigation, persons under management, and quarantined persons remain within the confines of their homes or in safe, secure facilities during the quarantine period following their exposure to the virus.

SECTION 6. That this declaration hereby limits the size of gatherings to not more than 50 people. 
For purposes of this declaration, a gathering is any event or convening, subject to 
the exceptions and clarifications set forth below, that brings together, or is likely to bring together, fifty (50) or more persons at the same time in a single room or other single space. 
A gathering does not include the following:

(i) a government-owned facility or a facility in which government business is being conducted;
(ii) public schools;
(iii) health care facility including, but not limited to, nursing home;
(iv) residential buildings
(v) places of worship

The Mayor may update the mass gathering restrictions set out in this declaration as 
necessary to respond to the evolving circumstances of this outbreak during the duration of 
the Disaster Declaration issued on this date and any extension of this declaration by the 
City Council of the City of Robert Lee. 

Section 7. That individuals at increased risk of severe illness, must not attend gatherings of more than 10 people. “Individuals at increased risk of severe illness” includes 
but is not limited to individuals 60 years and older; with compromised immune systems; with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or disorders, kidney disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other lung conditions; who are pregnant or were pregnant in the last two weeks; experiencing homelessness. 

Section 8. That for essential meetings, create smaller groups and consider 
holding video/audio meetings instead. For workplaces, promote telecommuting; ensure employees do not work while sick; do not require a doctor’s note for employees who are 
sick; maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits; and minimize the number of employees 
working within arm’s length of one another. 

Section 9. That citizens must adhere to the Social Distancing Protocols 
established by the CDC at all gatherings. 

Section 10. That operators of public spaces must provide ways for patrons to 
maintain safe social distancing, for example, maintaining six feet of separation between individuals; have hand washing capabilities, hand sanitizers and tissues available; and frequently cleaning high touch surface areas like counter tops, handrails, and doorknobs. 

SECTION 11. In accordance with Texas Government Code §418.173, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this declaration commits an offense, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days.

SECTION 12. That this declaration hereby authorizes the use of all lawfully available enforcement tools. 
SECTION 13. That this declaration shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance. 
DECLARED this 19th day of March, 2020.