CAMBRIDGE — Members of the Dorchester County Council voted unanimously April 14 to extend by 30 days the Declaration of Local State of Emergency and Executive Order was issued March 23.

The original declaration was “to provide the County Council the necessary powers and resources to combat the threat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has on public health and the safety and welfare of our citizens,” a statement from the council said on Wednesday.

The emergency will be continue for an additional 30 days beginning April 23.

“The County Council recognizes the efforts of citizens and local businesses to curb the spread of this disease,” the statement said. “We ask for your continued patience during this public health emergency, as we continue to ensure that all county departments and agencies work together to provide citizens essential services.”

The full declaration appears below:

RESOLUTION #625
DECLARATION TO CONTINUE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY AND EXECUTIVE ORDER COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PURSUANT TO SECTION 14-111 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND

RECITALS:
WHEREAS, due to the disease known as COVID-19 is a public health catastrophe and public emergency and poses an immediate danger to public safety;
WHEREAS, the President of the County Council serves as the principal executive officer of the County; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14-111 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the principal executive officer of a political subdivision may declare a local state of emergency in order to activate the response and recovery aspects of any applicable local state of emergency plan and authorize the provision of aid and assistance under such plans.
WHEREAS, the President of the County Council declared that a State of Emergency be effective on March 23, 2020 to continue until cancelled by his order or by the Governor of Maryland but in any event shall not continue for more than 30 days without affirmative vote by the County Council of Dorchester County, Maryland;

WHEREAS, by a 5 to 0 poll vote conducted on April 14, 2020, the County Council of Dorchester County, Maryland authorized an emergency 30 day extension of the local State of Emergency effective April 23, 2020 and authorized the President of the County Council to execute the continuing resolution of the emergency order on behalf of the County Council.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDERED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL
OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND THAT Dorchester County remains under a local state of emergency due to the disease COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus for an additional 30 days effective April 23, 2020.

AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED THAT the provisions of the Declaration of State of Local State of Emergency and Executive Order adopted by Resolution No. 624 shall remain in effect until May 23, 2020.
ADOPTED/EFFECTIVE: COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY
April 14, 2020/April 23, 2020

The declaration was signed by County Manager Keith Adkins and Council President Jay Newcomb.