HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 49-20 Face Coverings and COVID-19 (060920)RESOLUTION NO. 49-20
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
STRONGLY AND URGENTLY RECOMMENDING DURING THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC THE USE OF FACE COVERINGS
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, in December 2019, an outbreak of respiratory illness due to a novel
coronavirus (a disease now known as COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei
Province, China; and,
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that may result in serious illness or death
and is easily transmissible from person to person; and
WHEREAS, as of June 2, 2020, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(`CDC') has reported in the United States there are over 1.8 million COVID-19 cases and over
105,000 deaths; and
WHEREAS, the California Governor on March 4, 2020 proclaimed a State of Emergency
to exist in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States on March 13, 2020 declared the outbreak
of COVID-19 in the United States constituted a national emergency; and
WHEREAS, On March 13, 2020, the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services
Director issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency due to the spread of COVID-19 in the
County of San Luis Obispo; and
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2020, the Morro Bay City Manager proclaimed a declaration
of the existence of a local emergency within the City of Morro Bay due to the threat posed to the
City from COVID-19 and that declaration was subsequently ratified by the City Council on
March 19, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") has
concluded that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms
("asymptomatic") and that even those who eventually develop symptoms ("pre -symptomatic")
can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms, and
WHEREAS, the CDC has therefore concluded the coronavirus can spread between
people interacting in close proximity - for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing - even if
those people are not exhibiting symptoms; and
WHEREAS, the CDC thus recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings
where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and
pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community -based transmission; and
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WHEREAS, the County of San Luis Obispo (as of June 2, 2020) recommends "face
coverings in certain situations Specifically, if people cannot maintain six feet of physical
distance from others outside of the household, we recommend wearing cloth face coverings
(such as bandanas or scarves, or homemade mouth and nose coverings), and only if the
covering will not obstruct your ability to breathe."; and
WHEREAS, San Luis Obispo County Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein
advised on May 27, 2020 that "The utilization of masks as an additional protective measure
[from the coronavirus] is something that we should all do when necessary... when you cannot
maintain the other measures, in particular, social distancing, or physical distancing.'; and
WHEREAS, in the interests of public health and safety, the City Council strongly and
urgently recommends during the COVID-19 pandemic the use of face coverings that do not
obstruct breathing by those who cannot maintain a safe six feet of distance from others outside
of the home, and in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to
maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community -
based transmission. .
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Recitals. The City Council hereby finds and believes that the above recitals are true and
correct and incorporate them herein by reference.
2. Urgent Recommendation. The City Council strongly recommends for the duration of
the COVID-19 pandemic the use of face coverings in certain situations. Specifically, the
City Council urges and strongly recommends:
a. A face covering that does not obstruct breathing should be worn by those who
cannot maintain a safe six feet of distance from others outside of the home.
b. A face covering that does not obstruct breathing should be worn in public settings
where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e g., grocery
stores, public transportation and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant
community -based transmission.
3 Effective Date of Resolution. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon
passage and adoption. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions
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4. Publication. This Resolution and its contents will be published and promulgated in as
widespread a manner as is reasonably feasible under the conditions prevailing during this
local emergency.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, at a
regular meeting thereof held on the 9th day of June 2020 by the following vote:
AYES. Headding, Addis, Davis, Heller, McPherson
NOES. None
ABSENT: None
JOHN HEADDING, Mayor
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ATTEST:
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk
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