| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESaturday, March 14, 2020 |
| Brevard County Makes COVID-19 Emergency Declaration BREVARD COUNTY, FL. — In alignment with declarations made by the President of the United States and Governor of Florida, Brevard County Government has issued a local state of emergency in response to COVID-19. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Brevard County. However, the emergency declaration gives the county additional operational flexibilities during this public health crisis, including the ability to expend additional funds in response to coronavirus. If emergency needs arise, the County is able to appropriate funds as needed. For Brevard County, the declaration of a local state of emergency: • Helps obtain necessary supplies quickly: Procurement policy may be waived to allow for timely access to personal protective equipment for first responders and sanitation supplies for critical public buildings (e.g., courthouses, the jail, the emergency operations center, etc.) • Removes obstacles to a timely response: The County Manager may be permitted to adjust leave policies and, if necessary, suspend union contracts in order to deal with a potential emergency. • Provides timely access to financial resources by cutting red tape: Financial reserves may be accessed, as needed, to stage in anticipation of and, if necessary, respond to an emergency. • In the event of a biological threat, reduces the threat of person-to-person transmission: Mass gatherings may be limited, as necessary and appropriate. • Streamlines intergovernmental crisis management: Measures to better coordinate consequence management, in conjunction with FDOH and BPS, may be implemented. • Better enables the County to seek federal reimbursement: The declaration of an LSE situates the County such that it may qualify for FEMA reimbursement that might otherwise not be available.,br> Every resident and visitor of Brevard County plays a part in personal prevention. The county recommends the public follow the Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines available at cdc.gov/coronavirus/. Brevard County continues to coordinate daily with the Florida Department of Health on the latest information regarding COVID-19. Brevard County residents may call 2-1-1 for up-to-date information between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. For calls after hours, contact the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 call center at 866-779-6121. The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. |
Don Walker
Communications Director
Office: (321) 690-6843
don.walker@brevardfl.gov
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