The declaration gives the city the flexibility it needs to support local and state public health authorities as they respond to this public health crisis
VANCOUVER – In coordination with Clark County Public Health, Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes executed a Declaration of Civil Emergency for the city of Vancouver Friday in response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
The declaration will be reviewed by Vancouver City Council at their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Mon., March 16.
The declaration gives the city the flexibility it needs to support local and state public health authorities as they respond to this public health crisis, and provides access to federal, state and local emergency resources and funds. Any emergency orders and actions taken under the declaration are anticipated to be done in coordination with a regional response. Clark County and the State of Washington have also made similar declarations of emergency.
The city of Vancouver is also partially activating its Emergency Operations Center to better coordinate its response efforts locally and is participating in a Joint Information Center established by the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA).
Effective March 14, the city will implement the following changes to its operations and services as preventative measure to limit the spread of coronavirus among our employees and the community:
- Cancellation of all city-permitted public events with planned or forecasted attendance of 250 or above
- Closure of the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way
- Closure of the Luepke Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
- Closure of the Trapadero II and Sadri’s Summit climbing wall at Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave.
- Suspension of all recreation classes and programs that cater to vulnerable populations
- Enhanced sanitation of all public buildings and facilities
- Suspension of non-essential inspection activities in occupied homes and businesses
- Modification of water shutoff policies to assure sanitation resources in homes
- Suspension of all non-essential public meetings
- Suspension of all meetings of 20 or more in city facilities
- Suspension of all event and meeting reservations at city facilities
- Suspension of non-essential travel and training for city employees (including where trainers are brought in from outside the organization)
- Advisory to neighborhood associations to suspend meetings
At this time, scheduled Vancouver City Council meetings will continue to occur, but with social distancing modifications, including increased space between chairs and encouraging the public view by livestream on www.cvtv.org.
In the event a decision is made to cancel in-person city council meetings, a contingency plan is in place to allow meetings to be conducted via teleconference, including the ability of the public to participate by telephone.
For more information about the city’s response to COVID-19, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/coronavirus.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
