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CITY OF GEM LAKE PROCLAMATION AND DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
<br />WHEREAS, the virus named "SARS-CoV-2," is a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been
<br />identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person and which causes a disease named
<br />"coronavirus disease 2019," commonly known as "COVID-19," which is a resp ratory disease that can result
<br />in serious injury or death; and
<br />WHEREAS, on January 21., 2020 the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the United States; on March 6,
<br />2020 the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the State of Minnesota; and as of March 16, 2020, there are
<br />thirty-five known cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, including cases in RamseyCounty; and
<br />WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary
<br />Alex Azar declared a public health emergency for COVID-19, beginning on Jan ary 27, 2020; and
<br />WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared that th6 COVID-19 outbreak in the
<br />United States constitutes a National Emergency; and
<br />WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of Emergency to
<br />authorize and all necessary resources to be used in support of the COVID-19 res, onse; and
<br />WHEREAS, as of March 1.5, 2020 the World Health Organization Situation Report confirmed a total of
<br />n 153,517 cases of COVID-19 in over 135 countries, including 5,735 deaths; and as of March 15, 2020 a total
<br />of 35 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Minnesota including Ramsey C unty; and
<br />WHEREAS, COVID-19 has been identified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, and the
<br />Untied States Centers for Disease Control has provided guidance for individuals, healthcare professionals,
<br />and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19, which include cancelling or postponing in -person events
<br />that involve more than .fifty people for eight weeks; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City of Gem Lake Clerk and City Staff have been preparing for weeks, working diligently
<br />with local, state, and federal partners to maintain situational awareness and respond to COVID-19; and
<br />WHEREAS, additional local cases will trigger a more aggressive public health response and are predicted to
<br />impact residents of Gem .Lake and those who work in or travel through the City, including City employees;
<br />and the need for social distancing, school closings, and quarantine methods to stop the spread of COVID-19
<br />is expected to cause significant challenges; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City Clerk, Mayor and City Attorney find that this situation threatens the health, safety, and.
<br />welfare of the citizens of the community and will cause a significant impact on the ability of public safety
<br />personnel to address any immediate dangers to the public as a result of COVID 19; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City Clerk, Mayor and. City Attorney find that traditio al sources of financial aid,
<br />assistance and relief will not be able to compensate for the potential impact of COVID-19, and. have
<br />determined that the necessary resources to respond to and recover from this pandemic will exceed those
<br />resources available within the City of Gem Lake and additional resources will be needed from Ramsey
<br />County and state and federal sources.
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