LOCAL NEWS: Clatsop County declares public emergency

LOCAL NEWS: Clatsop County declares public emergency

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted Monday March 16 to declare a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The declaration will be in place through May 1.

By declaring an emergency, the county can now take actions such as declaring curfews, placing limits on public gatherings, creating mutual aid agreements and authorizing redirection of county funds.

It will also qualify the county for state and federal assistance, and reimbursement for costs associated with the local COVID-19 response.

The County Manager’s office announced that, beginning Wednesday, March 18 and lasting through April 10, all county offices will be closed to walk-in traffic. Offices will be accessible by appointment only and to meet urgent needs. The public is encouraged to do business by phone and online as much as possible.

All activities at the Clatsop County Fair & Expo during this period have been cancelled as well as all scheduled meetings of county advisory boards and commissions.

All meetings of the Board of Commissioners scheduled for this time period will be conducted by phone; the public will be able to follow meetings by live audio stream. Individuals may submit questions or comments to the board via email by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Upcoming meeting agendas will be amended to postpone substantive policy making (including public hearings) until after the temporary curtailment period.

County employees will remain on the job and working during this period. More info is available on the Clatsop County website.