City Manager Brian J. Wilson on Monday, March 9, 2020 declared a ‘State of Emergency’ for the city of Burien due to public health impacts of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

The proclamation supports measures to be taken to protect public health, safety and welfare within the city.

Several patients in the region have tested positive for the COVID-19, and our local and national public health agencies have issued warnings regarding the impacts and severity of this event. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death and can easily spread from person to person.

On February 29, 2020, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed that a State of Emergency exists in all counties in the state, and on March 1, 2020, King County Executive Dow Constantine signed a Proclamation of Emergency due to the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.

“Because the City of Burien may require supplemental assistance if the severity of the event goes beyond the capabilities of local resources, the proclamation of emergency enables the city to call in additional resources,” the city said. “Additionally, it provides the city manager with the maximum flexibility to respond to this health crisis.”

“We encourage community members to help protect yourself as you would during any cold or flu season.”

The City will continue to keep residents informed with updates to the city website, burienwa.gov, as well as Facebook (@CityofBurien) and Twitter (@Burien) as information becomes available.

Information on the coronavirus in other languages is provided below and at burienwa.gov/covid.

Here’s text of the full proclamation:

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2020-1

Proclamation of Public Health Emergency
Burien

WHEREAS, the City of Burien, Municipal Code 2.75.070 empowers the City Manager to issue an executive order to proclaim an emergency, which order shall be in effect until such time that it is determined that the extraordinary measures detailed therein are no longer required for the protection of the public peace, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, On January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Public Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public emergency for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) beginning January 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency (Proclamation 20-05) for all counties in the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, King County Executive Dow Constantine signed a Proclamation of Emergency due to the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County, enabling King County to take extraordinary measures; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, and can easily spread from person to person and the reported number of cases are increasing daily; and

WHEREAS, the department of Public Health — Seattle and King County is regularly updating guidance on reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and following such guidance may restrict regular government functions; and WHEREAS, measures must be taken to protect public health, safety and welfare of City residents, businesses, visitors, and personnel; and

WHEREAS, additional resources may be required in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; and

WHEREAS, the City may require supplemental assistance; and

WHEREAS, the severity of this event may go beyond the capability of local resources and the duration of the event is unknown; and

WHEREAS, the existing conditions relating to COVID-19 warrant the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency,

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Manager, proclaims that an emergency exists in the City of Burien and declares as follows:

    • A local emergency now exists due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This necessitates the utilization of emergency powers granted under RCW 38.52.
    • In order to prepare for and respond to this emergency, the City Manager authorizes the City to take necessary measures as authorized pursuant BMC 2.75.070, RCW 38.52.070(2) and 39.04.280; including waiving the requirements of competitive bidding and public notice with reference to any contract relating to the City’s lease or purchase of supplies, equipment, personal services or public works as defined by RCW 39.04.010, or to any contract for the selection and award of professional and/or technical consultants. Each City department designated is hereby authorized to exercise the powers vested in this proclamation in light of the demands of a dangerous and escalating emergency situation without regard to time consuming procedures and formalities otherwise normally required by law, except constitutional mandates.
    • This executive order shall be confirmed and adopted by the Burien City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON
Brian Wilson
By: Title: City Manager Date: March 9, 2020

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