• By Ashleigh Sloop
• Posted Friday, March 27, 2020

FORSYTH COUNTY AMENDED DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND STAY-AT-HOME ORDER

FORSYTH COUNTY AMENDED DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND STAY-AT-HOME ORDER

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 all steps necessary 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, at 5:00 pm, 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 pursuant to Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes and Section 9-21 of the Forsyth County Code of Ordinances, Forsyth County is authorized to restrict movement of people in public places, impose restrictions upon the operation of offices, business establishments, and other places to or from which people may travel or at which they may congregate, and take such actions reasonably necessary to maintain order and protect lives or property during a state of emergency;

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

WHEREAS as a result of the above-described public health emergency, I have determined that further action 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 hereby adopts the City of Winston-Salem Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency “Stay-at-Home Order” of March 25, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.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 Bethania, 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 and Stay-at-Home Order 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 on Friday, March 27, 2020, at 5:00 pm and shall remain in effect until 12:01 am, Thursday, April 16, 2020, unless modified, extended, or rescinded.

DECLARED this the 27th of March, 2020, at 12:01 pm.

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