Following guidance issued today by the President of the United States, entitled “Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread,” Jackson’s Town Council will hold a meeting to consider an emergency ordinance that would enact mitigation measures to require the closure of a variety of establishments in order to slow the potential spread of COVID-19 in the community.
In response to the continued spread of COVID-19, the President’s guidelines suggest avoiding “social gatherings of groups of 10 people or more,” and “eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts.” Discussing a possible ordinance today, Town Council agreed that they want to do what is best for the entire community, to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our valley and to “flatten the curve.”
Vice Mayor Hailey Morton Levinson noted, “We are trying to take more action now to hopefully prevent a prolonged response down the road.” The Town and County are working closely with the Department of Health and St. John’s Health to encourage social distancing by limiting in-person interactions, keeping six feet of space between people, not shaking hands, washing hands for 20 seconds multiple times a day, and not going to work or out in public when people are feeling at all sick.
Even with this emphasis, Mayor Pete Muldoon shared, “We ask you to take this very seriously, and to consider the impacts of your decisions very seriously. Now is not the time to panic, or to spread rumors. It’s time for us each to help our community and its most vulnerable by doing the right thing.”
The meeting to consider this ordinance will take place Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00am in the Council’s Chambers. A staff report and the draft ordinance is available at www.jacksonwy.gov. Public comment can be sent to council@jacksonwy.gov. Public comment should be submitted at least 1 hour prior to the meeting to allow the elected officials the best opportunity to consider those comments.
Due to recommended social distancing practices the public is encouraged to view the meeting online. The meeting will be streamed on the Town of Jackson’s website at: http://townofjackson.com/290/Watch-a-Meeting-Online.
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