By Jill Fox
In an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, Parkland City Manager Nancy Morando has issued a city-wide emergency order for all residents to shelter in place.
The order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, and applies to all residents of the City of Parkland.
So, what exactly does it mean to “shelter in place” and how is this any different than what residents have already been doing?
“The difference is now we’ve put those recommendations into an order,” said Mayor Christine Hunschofsky.
She explained that, instead of the best practices being suggestions, they are now emergency orders from the city.
The guidelines already in place, such as limiting social gatherings to ten people or less, and maintaining a distance of at least six feet from people other than immediate family members should continue to be followed. Residents can still go to the grocery store, order take-out, and delivery and participate in outdoor recreational activities.
The emergency orders are designed to protect the health and well being of Parkland residents and create social distancing, and to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Hunschofsky said she encourages people to do the right thing and take this seriously.
“We each have an opportunity now to make a difference by following the medical experts’ recommendations, and this emergency order using best practices for social distancing to help stop the spread so we can hopefully get through this without a strain on the hospital system,” she said.
Residents remain allowed to travel to and from essential businesses (as defined in the Broward County Emergency Order) and for emergency assistance. Travel to and from personal support activities, in support of essential businesses, and other limited exceptions are okay as well.
According to the New York Times, as of March 25, at least 196 million people in 21 states, 37 counties and 16 cities are being urged to shelter in place.