DENTON, TX, March 17, 2020 (9:45 p.m.) – On Tuesday, March 17, the Denton City Council voted to extend the seven-day declaration of local disaster for public health emergency that was first signed by Mayor Chris Watts on Friday, March 13. The extended declaration of disaster and order by City Council is effective until 11:59 p.m. April 30, 2020.
The order issued by City Council prohibits community gatherings of 100 or more people in the city of Denton, effective from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 18 until 11:59 p.m. April 30, 2020. The order further urges all individuals to avoid gatherings of 50 persons or more. It also recommends and urges high-risk individuals, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to cancel, reschedule, or not attend any gatherings during this time.
The City of Denton also strongly urges restaurants and bars within the city to limit occupancy to 50 percent or less than permitted by the restaurant or bar’s Certificate of Occupancy.
With an extended disaster declaration and this order in effect, the City of Denton is able to:
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Gain access to short-term funding opportunities.
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Activate and implement the emergency management plan.
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Postpone non-essential Municipal Court proceedings.
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Suspend all utility shutoffs for customers unable to pay.
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Provide the City Manager authority to expend up to $500,000 in response activities during the disaster period.
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Provide the City Manager authority to expend up to $50,000 in funding to the United Way of Denton County to assist individuals and families in the City of Denton, who have experienced income or job loss due to COVID-19, in eviction avoidance.
The City of Denton continues to closely monitor the developing situation with COVID-19.
Click here to see the declaration and order for more information.
Visit www.cityofdenton.com/coronavirus and www.dentoncounty.gov/coronavirus for additional updates.
Contact: Ryan Adams, (940) 349-8565, Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com