Following Governor Andy Beshear's State of Emergency announcement regarding his order to close restaurants and bars, aside from takeout and delivery, due to COVID-19 concerns, McCracken County Judge Executive, Craig Clymer, and City of Paducah Mayor, Brandi Harless, both declared a local State of Emergency for the city and county.
According to Clymer, the city and county are working closely together to address COVID-19, with the local state of emergency helping them take what they believe are appropriate measures.
He said, "What that does, it gives the city and county some powers to do certain things that we may need to do separate from the state."
Clymer says he has been in communication with Emergency Management Director of McCracken County, Jerome Mansfield, who is going to take the lead on notifying local restaurants and bars of Beshear's request. Clymer says he hopes local restaurants and bars will cooperate with the order, but says if they do not, they have plans in place to enforce it.
"We understand that there will be a negative economic impact for the bars and restaurants." Clymer continued, "We don't like to see that, but the welfare of the citizens certainly takes first priority."
It was also announced that the state will be providing medical supplies for each county, and will be setting up CPOD's, allowing individuals to drive up and be tested for COVID-19, and receive medical supplies.
Clymer said, "These are all preventative measures at this point, at least in our particular area, but we feel like it's necessary to take these preemptive measures rather than be sorry that we did not, and have to react to a much more serious condition."
Harless echoed Clymer's statements.
"We still have an opportunity here to be very preventative in our measures. We do know that testing will become more available over the next couple of weeks and we will start to see more people in our region become tested and we want to be prepared for that."
Harless says if you want to deliver food or supplies to someone, drop it at their door step, call and let them know, then say goodbye on your way to the car.
"We want to make sure that we don't overexpose people unnecessarily, and that we're taking this very seriously as a community."
Harless finished by encouraging everyone to call and check on family members, church members, and anyone in the community that might be vulnerable.
During the press conference, Clymer also touched on the executive order that was implemented in an effort to limit who can enter the courthouse. Under the executive order, anyone that fits within the following criteria should not enter.
1. Anyone that has visited China, Iran, South Korea, or any other high-risk countries identified by the CDC in the previous 14 days.
2. Those who have been in close contact with someone who has been in any of those countries within the previous 14 days.
3. Anyone who has traveled domestically within any state where COVID-19 has sustained widespread community transmission.
4. Anyone that has been asked to self-quarantine by a doctor, hospital, or health agency.
5. Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.
6. Those with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
You can see the full executive order at the link below.
On the Net:
Executive Order signed by McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer
