County Judge AJ Mason declares state of disaster in Camp County

The office of County Judge AJ Mason recently released this notice to the citizens of Camp County:

COUNTY OF CAMP, TEXAS COUNTY JUDGE DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 

WHEREAS, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-CoV2 which causes the disease COVID-19, has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization; 

and 

WHEREAS, the symptoms of COVID-19 can range 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, the Governor of the State of Texas 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, Camp County, 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 COUNTY JUDGE OF CAMP COUNTY, TEXAS: 

SECTION 1. That a local state of disaster for public health emergency is hereby declared for Camp County, 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 approved by the Commissioners Court of Camp County, 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 County Clerk. 

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

SECTION 5. That this declaration authorizes the County 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 County, 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 County's rules and directives. 

SECTION 6. That this declaration hereby authorizes the use of all lawfully available enforcement tools. 

SECTION 7. That this declaration shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance and, upon approval by the Commissioners Court, shall continue in effect until terminated by the County Judge. Pursuant to this declaration, additional directives may be issued by the County Judge at any time as deemed necessary. 

DECLARED this 20th day of March, 2020.