The City of Oxford Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on Sunday, March 22, 2020 and unanimously approved a second emergency declaration to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Mayor Robyn Tannehill opened the meeting to a largely empty courtroom, unlike previous board meetings. All of Oxford’s Aldermen joined the meeting through a phone teleconference call. The people visible in the courtroom with the Mayor appeared to be observing “social distancing” and were all at least six feet apart.
The Mayor read the lengthy emergency proclamation aloud and then opened the discussion about the declaration with the Aldermen. The Aldermen asked many questions about how to further stop the spread of the disease, including contamination through payment methods that stores use, including credit cards and cash.
After the discussion, the proclamation was passed unanimously. It goes into effect immediately.
The changes won’t further affect restaurants, but they do affect many other types of businesses.
According to the proclamation, all bars, entertainment venues, meetings of fraternal and civic organizations, bowling alleys, theatres, tattoo parlors, barbershops, hair/beauty/nail/tanning salons, spas, gyms, convention centers, community centers and parks (except for walking trails), shopping centers, retail stores (except where curbside is available and utilized), inside the city limits of Oxford shall be closed to the public.
All churches, temples and places of worship, assemblages and gatherings, including but not limited to private clubs within the City limits of the City of Oxford, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Mississippi Department of Health, and shall limit crowds, and assemblages or gatherings to no more than 10 people.
All essential businesses, agencies and units of government located within the City of Oxford shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that such businesses comply with the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health recommendations and guidance, and shall implement appropriate safeguards to prevent the spread of infectious disease, including but not limited to: mandating social distancing, sending home sick employees and actively encouraging sick employees to stay home, separating and sending home employees who appear to have respiratory illness symptoms, emphasizing work-from-home policies where possible, mandating respiratory etiquette and proper hand hygiene, maintaining clean and sanitary workplaces, cautioning employees regarding travel, and taking all such additional measures to prohibit and/or reduce the spread of infectious disease, and especially Covid-19.
The following are to remain operational following the CDC guidelines: City government services (police stations, fire stations, courts, garbage/sanitation, utilities, and such other services as the Mayor shall determine), hospitals/clinics and healthcare operations (nursing homes and assisted living facilities), veterinarian offices, gas stations, drug stores and pharmacies, food services (grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out, curbside and delivery restaurants), hardware stores, security companies, businesses providing services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residents (plumbers, electricians, landscapers, HVAC services, and the like), banks, community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis (Interfaith Compassion Ministries, United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Communicare, etc.), laundromats/laundry services, cemeteries, and professional services which service companies and individuals who or which are essential businesses, agencies, or governmental units (such as accountants, attorneys, engineers, architects, etc.).
This is news is fluid and ongoing and will be updated as needed and clarified.
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