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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07132020 City Council Work Session Packet - Code Orange Alert Seward City Council Work Session Packet r Topic: Code Orange Alert — Understanding the City's Emergency Plan & Metrics July 13, 2020 City Council Chambers Beginning at 6:00 p.m. PUBLIC NOTICE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Seward City Council will take part in an work session delivered by the City Attorney on the following item of business: CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Monday, July 13, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting Topic: Code Orange Alert — Understanding the City's Emergency Plan & Metrics How To Virtually ATTEND The Meeting 1. The meeting will be Live Streamed on the city's YouTube page. Log onto YouTube and type "City of Seward Alaska" into the search bar. 2. Listen on the radio. Tune to KIBH-FM 91.7 3. Watch on television. Tune into GCI Cable Channel 9. "CODE ORANGE" INFORMATIONAL PACKET PLEASE BE ADVISED, THESE DOCUMENTS ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ❑ISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY; THE CITY HAS NOT DECLARE❑ A "CODE ORANGE" OR TRIGGERED THE "COMMUNITY OUTBREAK RULES" AT THIS TIME. �nnaaAaaa nn�x S EWA D "ORANGE ALERT" [START DATE] TO [END DATE] CITY OF SEWARD OPEN ONLY TO : • ESSENTIAL WORKERS r PEOPLE MEETING CRITICAL PERSONAL NEEDS RESIDENTS Please visit wwv,!.r.ityofseward.us for details, exemptions and the most recent COVID-19 information and resources. 10=DAY ORANGE ALERT Information for Businesses ► Employers Community Outbreak Rules are currently in effect LM ■• 0 •■ work •• ICU home 0 - �01 LU 40 ccan " espo , `horrie Uj '" Government options tQ •Transporation employees • Grocery/convenience, where � Food & agriculture reasonable Fishing & processing Media LU �►Auto/biRce repair W* 4 ■ Plumbers • electricians Home service providers Home-based care services Law offices �Accounting services Childcare facilities for those with critical jobs Af l other basil nesses that pan maintain distancing requirements (less than 1,� pevplej I OwDAY ORANGE ALERT" Information for � community Outbreak Rules are currently in effect What can I . . . . • - - • Buy groceries and household items - but remember to distance • Order take-out or delivery • Go to work - so long as you are an essential worker • See your doctor - make an appointment ahead of time • Pick up prescription medications and other critical personal needs • Exercise - but keep 6 feet from non-household members • Enjoy outdoor activities - but stay distanced! • Go hiking • Go berry picking • Go fishing • Visit and care for elder family members • Visit essential businesses - so long as you can distance • Dine in at restaurants • Go to the bar • Go to the theatre • Go to the gym • Hold a gathering • Go to a convention • Go to the spa or hair salon 00946869.DOCX FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CITY'S TEMPORARY "COMMUNITY OUTBREAK RULES" Recently, the City of Seward experienced a substantial increase in COVID-19 positive cases within its borders. As a result, the Emergency Operations Team declared a local Orange Alert triggering the City's Community Outbreak Rules for a period of 10 days. Under the Declaration and the Community Outbreak Rules, the City essentially "hunkers down" for a short period, slowing the spread of COVID-19 so business operations and summer activities can resume safely as quickly as possible. The Community Outbreak Rules mirror the State of Alaska social distancing mandates in place in late March, 2020. The following Frequently Asked Questions are intended as a refresher on the "dos and don'ts" under former State of Alaska Health Mandate 11 and the City's Community Outbreak Rules currently in effect. 1. When the Community Outbreak Rules are in effect, may my friend travel from Anchorage to Seward to go sport fishing with me? Yes, fishing for sport and personal use is permitted. However, consistent with the applicable guidance from the State under former Health Mandate 11 it is recommended that individuals should pursue fishing activities as close to their home community as possible, abide by a community's local rules when doing so, should purchase or acquire provisions (food, gas, fishing supplies) for the trip in the individual's home community, should practice social distancing, and should wear face coverings. Under the Community Outbreak Rules, subsistence fishing remains open and unrestricted. 2. 1 saw someone who lives in Moose Pass at Safeway; aren't they prohibited from traveling into Seward when Community Outbreak Rules are in place? Not necessarily, an individual can travel to the community that they are closest to in order to fulfill critical personal needs if those critical personal needs cannot be met in their own community. If the individual from Moose Pass needs critical supplies that are not available in Moose Pass, he or she may travel to the nearest community with those supplies. 3. 1 just saw a group of seafood processor employees headed toward the dock, aren't they required to be in quarantine now that the Community Outbreak Rules are in effect? Generally, individuals arriving in Seward from outside Alaska are required to be in post-travel quarantine for 14 days; however, because processing is identified by the State as an essential business, employees travelling to their worksite at a processing facility are likely in compliance with the quarantine mandate. SEWARD FAQS RE: HEALTH MANDATES COVID-19 EMERGENCY RULES Page 1 of 5 4. 1 just saw a woman who I know is from Kenai and is in Seward to commercial fish enter the grocery store. Is that a violation of the Community Outbreak Rules? No. If she traveled to Seward to commercial fish, she is in Seward to engage in an essential business. She will need to comply with all of the applicable social distancing mandates while in Seward but those mandates permit her to meet critical personal needs while in Seward, which would include shopping for groceries. 5. 1 noticed that a local store selling sewing supplies is open but is only letting five customers in at a time and has a sign telling everyone to stay six feet apart. Should this store be closed under the Community Outbreak Rules? Not necessarily. There are many stores that are permitted to stay open under the former State mandate and the current Community Outbreak Rules because they qualify as "essential services or critical infrastructure." The list of businesses that qualify as "essential services or critical infrastructure" is contained in the "Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order" issued by the State on March 27, 2020. This list includes businesses that are able to maintain social distance requirements and prevent the congregation of more than 10 people in their business, including employees, at a given time. The Alaska Essential Services Order is available on the City website if you want to review the full list of essential services and critical infrastructure. However, if the sewing shop is able to (1) maintain six feet between individuals; (2) use hand sanitizer and wash hands for at least 20 seconds; (3) avoid shaking hands; (4) cover coughs and sneezes, and (5) clean high-touch surface areas, that shop may qualify as an "essential business" under the former State health mandate and the Community Outbreak Rule. The sewing shop will need to post notice of its protective measures and protocols under Seward COVID-19 Emergency Rule 11.1, which must include the store's qualification as an "essential service," its sanitation measures, its social distancing protocols, and a phone number for the owner or his, her designee. 6. What is an essential business or critical infrastructure position under the Community Outbreak Rules? The businesses that qualify as essential or support critical infrastructure are listed in the "Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order" and include: • Healthcare operations • Public works construction • Housing construction • Utilities 4 Mining ® Logging • Banking and lending institutions ® Appraisal and title companies SEWARD FAQS RE: COVID-19 COMMUNITY OUTBREAK RULES Page 2of5 • First responders and law enforcement ® Local government and transportation (i.e. taxis and railroads) Grocery stores, convenience stores, and other retail stores selling food, beverages, and household consumer products Food and agriculture, cultivation, including farming, fishing, and processing • Media • Auto repair and supply shops, bike repair shops, and related facilities • Laundry services • Plumbers, electricians, and other home service providers Home-based care for seniors, children, and adults • Law offices and accounting services when needed to assist in compliance with legally-mandated activities 0 Childcare facilities servicing individuals with critical jobs • And all other businesses that can maintain social distancing requirements and prohibit congregation of more than 10 people While this list is not exhaustive, it should give you an idea of the types of businesses that are defined as "essential" or constitute "critical workforce" under the Community Outbreak Rules (and the former State mandates). 7. Can I leave home to care for my elderly parents or friends? Or a family member or friend who has disabilities? Yes. Be sure to follow social distancing guidelines to protect them and you. If you are sick with any respiratory illness, stay home and find someone else to help care for them. 8. Can I visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or other residential care facility? No. This is difficult but necessary to protect facility staff and other patients. There are limited exceptions, such as if you are going to the hospital with someone younger than 18 or who is developmentally disabled and needs assistance. For most other situations, the order prohibits visitation to these kinds of facilities except at the end-of-life. 9. Can restaurants still provide take-out services under the Community Outbreak Rules? Yes, but they must do so while maintaining six feet between people at all times. If there are lines, restaurants must ensure people are adequately spaced. Systems must be implemented to prevent close contact when customers pick up food or pay for their order. SEWARD FAQS RE: COVID-19 COMMUNITY OUTBREAK RULES Page 3of5 10. Is commercial construction considered essential under the Community Outbreak Rules? Yes. Commercial construction is considered essential, as is any public works construction, but they will need to follow distancing and cleaning guidelines as they continue to work. 11. Are hotels, bed and breakfasts, and resorts essential businesses under the Community Outbreak Rule? Yes, but only for the purpose of providing essential services, such as housing for local residents or essential workers, or for isolation or quarantine. 12. Do I have to stay home and inside, or can I go outside for exercise and recreation? Outdoor activity near your home is OK under the Community Outbreak Rules and encouraged for your health and well-being, but always keep at least six feet between people who do not live in your immediate household. Social distancing requirements are in effect on paths, trails, sidewalks, riverbanks, beaches, parks, and any place outside on private or public property where people might gather. Crowds of 10 people or more are prohibited. 13. Can I take my child to a playground? Playgrounds may still be open in Seward but both the State and City advise that playgrounds are not the safest places to be right now and discourage the use of playground facilities during this declared emergency. Children tend to play in close proximity to each other in a playground, older children gather to play sports, and adults congregate to watch their children. All of these circumstances create great risk of COVID- 19 transmission. 14. What's closed? While this is a difficult question to answer because it may change depending upon the activities each business is doing and whether or not the business qualifies as essential under the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order, here is a list of businesses that are generally closed under the Community Outbreak Rules: Dine-in restaurants — except for drive-thru, delivery and carry-out • Bars and nightclubs Entertainment venues • Gyms and fitness studios • Public events and gatherings a Convention centers • Hair and nail and skin care salons SEWARD FAQS RE: COVID-19 COMMUNITY OUTBREAK RULES Page 4of5 Reference the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order for a full list. 15. Can I call a plumber or electrician? Yes. Plumbing and other critical home repairs are considered essential businesses. You may call a plumber or other home repair businesses if you need one, but keep physical distance between you and the repair people who come into your home and practice proper hygiene. Non-critical plumbing needs should be delayed. 16. Can I drive somewhere to recreate? You are not prohibited from driving, but you must stay six feet away from non- household members. 17. Can I drive to my cabin and hunker down there? Individuals may go to their cabin in another community if it is their primary residence and they intend to remain there. 18. May I go clothes shopping? Casual shopping is not encouraged at this time, as you must remain six feet away from everyone. Deliveries of goods and services to your home is recommended. 19. What if I'm dating someone who lives in another household? Am I allowed to visit that person? No. As the State explained when the former health mandates were in effect: "You must stay six feet away from anyone who is not a family member. Not doing so endangers the members of the dating partners' families." Workers are encouraged to work from home, unless they work in health care, public service or other businesses deemed essential, as defined in the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order(formerly Attachment A). 20. Is commercial fishing considered an essential service, and can fishing vessels sail port to port? Yes. Commercial fishing is an essential service and part of critical infrastructure. Fishing vessels can sail to port to port in Alaska, but have the responsibility to monitor their crew for signs and symptoms, report any issues to the appropriate authorities, and mitigate the risk of exposure to the small communities in which they operate. SEWARD FAQS RE: COVID-19 COMMUNITY OUTBREAK RULES Page 5 of 5