Following an amended order from Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, Shenandoah Mayor Ritch Wheeler amended his Declaration of Local Disaster to reflect changes affecting certain businesses in the City.
As Mayor Ritch Wheeler commented Tuesday in a Facebook post, "This is a very fluid situation and conditions are changing rapidly. These guidelines will go in effect Thursday morning, March 19, at 8:00 am , but please understand they may change quickly."
Citing "extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of this potentially devastating disease," Wheeler addressed certain businesses that will be impacted:
- All restaurants shall cease all on-site dining operations.
- All restaurants may continue to-go, takeout, delivery and catering operations.
- Restaurants shall not allow any employee to report to work who is demonstrating signs of any form of sickness. Strict handwashing and sanitizing operations must be deployed.
- All bars or clubs shall cease operations.
- Gyms, movie theaters, or amusement type businesses shall cease operations.
- Events greater than 10 persons at all publicly held facilities across the City of Shenandoah shall cease.
- Any event greater than 10 persons held at private facilities is urged to cancel.
- Nursing homes and senior living centers should limit visitation of the public within their facilities.
- Retail stores, private businesses, clubs or civic organizations and religious organizations to include churches, synagogues, mosques or other places of worship are urged to comply with the CDC guidelines related to 10 persons gathering in any one place or at one time.
- Retail stores that sell groceries or medical supplies are exempt from this order.
"We still have a long road ahead of us," said Wheeler. "This will not be the last change made before we come out of this serious situation."
Similar to other municipalities, Shenandoah has canceled public events and closed some facilities. Mayor Wheeler will continue to monitor the situation and take additional steps as needed for the safety and well-being of the public.
Amended Mayoral Declaration of Local State of Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency, March 18
Amended Order Affecting Occupancy of Premises Throughout Montgomery County, March 18
