EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 2 REGARDING GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN 10 IN THE TOWN OF HAMDEN
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the State of Connecticut declared a public health emergency and a civil preparedness emergency for the State of Connecticut, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 19a-131 and 28-9, in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 disease associated with a novel coronavirus that is currently affecting multiple countries and states; and
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, the Governor of the state of Connecticut issued Executive Order No. 7, limiting the number of individual that may convene, meet or otherwise gather throughout the State, to no more than 250 People or more for social and recreational activities, including but not limited to, community, civic, leisure, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; movie screenings; plays or performances; conventions; and similar activities; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus that is currently infecting the population of the United States; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Mayor of the Town of Hamden, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 28-8a(a) and 28-22a and Section 5-5 A. of the Charter, declared a public emergency for the Town of Hamden due to the significant danger to public health posed by the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the public health and safety of the public as a result of the global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Governor of the State of Connecticut amended and modified his Executive Order No. 7, with Executive Order No. 7D, to require that all such gatherings as contemplated and addressed by Executive Order No. 7 be limited to no more than 50 or more people; and , included “religious, spiritual or worship gatherings; and
WHEREAS, due to the significant adverse impact on public health of COVID-19, the Mayor is compelled to take action for the purpose of ensuring civil preparedness and mitigating the adverse effects of this emergency situation upon the residents of Hamden; and
WHEREAS, among best practices and prescribed measures of mitigation in light of this public health emergency is social distancing; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control has recommended that social gatherings be limited to no more than ten (10) people to optimize the benefits of social distancing; and
WHEREAS, the powers granted by the Connecticut General Statutes Sections 28-8a(8), 28-1(8) and 28-22, and Section 5-5 B. of Charter, the Mayor shall have and exercise all executive and administrative powers conferred upon any municipal chief executive during a public emergency; and
WHEREAS, the duties assigned by the Charter to the Mayor of the Town of Hamden require said Mayor to cause the Charter and the Ordinances of the Town of Hamden and laws to be executed and enforced and to conserve the peace within the Town. The Mayor shall be responsible for good order and efficient government of the Town; and
WHEREAS, in response to the issuance of declarations of public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency, a declaration of national emergency and the spread of COVID-19 to residents of the Town of Hamden; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Town of Hamden to promote public health and to ensure civil preparedness to minimize the adverse impacts of the current public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency posed by the spread of COVID-19 of Hamden of a public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency posed by the spread of COVID-19.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that, pursuant to the powers and duties granted in the Connecticut General Statutes and the Charter and Ordinances of the Town of Hamden, and in response to the civil preparedness and public health emergency now facing the Town of Hamden, and in response to the civil preparedness and public health emergency now facing the Town of Hamden, and in accordance with the advice from the Town’s public health officials, effective on Friday, March 20, at 12:01 a.m. through April 30,2020 unless earlier modified, extended or terminated, gatherings of more than 10 people for social and recreational activities, including, but not limited to, community, civic, leisure or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; movie screenings; plays or performances; conventions; and any similar activities are prohibited in the Town of Hamden.
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that the provisions of this order shall not apply to child care centers caring excluded from closing under Mayor’s Executive Order No. 1 and will also not apply for child care centers for more than 12 children of health care providers or public safety officials.
BE IT FURTHER IT FURTHER RECOMMENDED that religious, spiritual or worship gatherings of such size consider the health ramifications to their congregation and the community at large and please give serious consideration to following this CDC recommended limitation we are directing to others gatherings to limit of ten (10) people.
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDER that this order will be made publically available for inspection and review in the Town Clerk’s Office and shall be posted on the Town of Hamden website.
