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Hampton council ratifies city manager's COVID-19 local emergency declaration
Summary
The council unanimously ratified an amended and restated local emergency declaration for COVID-19, fulfilling the statutory 14-day ratification requirement and allowing emergency actions for the duration of the crisis.
The Hampton City Council unanimously ratified the city manager's amended and restated declaration of a local emergency related to COVID-19, the council said at a special meeting called for that purpose. The council moved and voted to confirm the declaration, which the city prepared to reflect the governor's and president's disaster proclamations.
City officials said the amendment adds disaster language to the original declaration and is required to align local action with state and federal emergency proclamations. The city manager explained that state code and city code require council ratification of a local emergency within 14 days of the manager's declaration.
“I wanna assure you that your city staff is taking guidance from health professionals,” the city manager said, adding that the city is in constant contact with the Virginia Department of Health. The council's approval allows the city to use emergency authorities to protect public health and ensure continuity of essential services during the period of the local emergency.
The resolution was presented and approved during the special meeting called specifically to address the COVID-19 emergency. The council voiced its approval on the motion and recorded the outcome as an affirmative action to ratify the amended declaration.
