RESOLUTION NO. 895
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF SEWALL’S POINT, FLORIDA, ENCOURAGING THE USE OF FACIAL MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DUE TO THE RISE IN COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Town Commission of the Town of Sewall’s Point (the “Town”) adopted Resolution No. 883 declaring a state of local emergency in response to the public emergency that COVID-19 poses; and
WHEREAS, despite the measures taken thus far by Martin County and the State of Florida, new cases of COVID-19 continue to occur;
WHEREAS, as of November 17, 2020, the United States has 11,279,504 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 250,485 deaths; the State of Florida has 889,864 confirmed cases, 52,019 hospitalizations and 17,775 deaths; and Martin County has 5,744 (52 non-residents) confirmed COVID-19 cases, 434 hospitalizations, and 170 deaths; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, as of November 9, 2020, national forecasts predict that 5,500 to 13,400 new COVID-19 deaths will be reported during the week ending December 5, 2020, and these forecasts predicts 260,000 to 282,000 total COVID-19 deaths in the United States by December 5, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Florida ranks third in the nation for total positive COVID-19 cases; and WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Health reported 10,105 new coronavirus cases –
the highest increase since late July – and 29 more resident deaths this past Sunday; and
WHEREAS, South Florida hospitals are experiencing the impact of a surge in COVID-19 infections, and experts say it will only get worse; and
WHEREAS, Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties saw a 44% increase in COVID-19 patients over the past two weeks, an increase paralleled across Florida, according to state figures; and
WHEREAS, locally, Cleveland Clinic is at a visitation level of Red, a more restrictive level of operations, which includes delays for routine surgeries, visitor restrictions and mandated COVID-19 testing prior to admissions; and
WHEREAS, the potential impact to our community of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis may be severe; and
WHEREAS, the increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations demonstrates that more community action and cooperation to slow the spread of virus is necessary in certain environments; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, masks slow the spread of COVID-19 because they help keep people who are infected from spreading respiratory droplets to others when they cough, sneeze or talk, and they also help to reduce inhalation of these droplets; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, a mask is not a substitute for social distancing and they should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation; and
WHEREAS, in order to slow the spread of the virus in our community, the Town Commission wishes to encourage everyone (2 years of age and older) to wear a mask when in close proximity with others outside of their households, along with the routine washing of hands and social distancing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF SEWALL’S POINT, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Town Commission hereby strongly encourages all residents, local businesses, and visitors to follow the following guidelines:
A. Wearing of Face Masks: All persons should wear a face mask when they are interacting with others who are not members of their household in public and private spaces. Cloth masks that are multilayered and non-valved are recommended by the CDC and should fully cover your nose and mouth. Masks should be washed frequently (ideally after each use).
Specifically, people (2 years of age and older) should wear face masks as follows:
1. When inside public spaces, businesses, etc. or while waiting in line to enter such public spaces.
2. When seeking healthcare.
3. When waiting for or riding on mass transit or other shared transportation, or waiting in line anywhere.
4. When in common areas of buildings, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities.
5. Employees in areas where the public is present, likely to be present, or at any time when others are nearby.
6. Employees in any open space where food is being prepared and/or packaged for sale or distribution.
B. SocialDistancing:
1. Businesses are strongly encouraged to:
a. Require employees and customers/visitors entering the premises of stores and
businesses to maintain 6 feet social distancing as much as reasonably possible.
b. Limit the number of customers entering the premises to facilitate social distancing
at store entrances, throughout the store and at check-out lines.
c. Limit one-way movement through aisles where aisles may cause problems with
social distancing.
d. Require all workers to stay at least six feet away from customers and co-workers,
or provide plexiglass or other physical barriers.
e. Temporarily mark six-foot increments (using adhesive colored tape, chalk, etc.) on
the ground or floor to ensure social distancing.
f. Post large print attention-grabbing signs readable from a distance that inform
customers of social distancing practices.
2. Individuals are strongly encouraged to maintain 6 feet social distancing with others
who are not members of their household in both public and private areas and to avoid poorly ventilated spaces.
C. Cleanliness and Sanitizing:
1. Businesses are strongly encouraged to:
a. Supply hand sanitizer in public and employee restrooms.
b. Require workers to wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20
seconds, such as when they arrive at work, leave their workstations for breaks, to
eat and after handling money.
c. Use sanitizing cleaner frequently on touchable surfaces such as shopping carts and
shopping basket handles, counters, door handles, door push area, seating, and other
frequently touched surfaces.
d. Provide gloves and require them to be used when cleaning and disinfecting the
premises.
2. Individuals are strongly encouraged to:
a. Wash hands often.
b. Avoid contact with frequently
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect upon approval by the Sewall’s Point Town Commission on this 17th day of November, 2020.
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