Coronavirus Prompts Bowie To Declare Public Health Emergency

BOWIE, MD — The City of Bowie took a big step Tuesday in how it is responding the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

The City Council approved and Mayor Timothy Adams signed a Declaration of Public Health Emergency to make it easier for the City to take additional steps to address the pandemic if needed and ensure the City would be able to seek any emergency reimbursements it was eligible to receive.

Here is the full text of the Declaration:

Pursuit to the powers granted to me by virtue of Section 17 of the City Charter and Section 14-111 of Public Safety Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, I hereby declare a Municipal Civil Emergency in the City of Bowie because of the impending threat of widespread infection by the virus known as COVID-19.

The Declaration activates the City's Emergency Operations Plan; and authorizes the provision of aid and assistance under the plan.
The Declaration of Emergency may be extended, altered or rescinded in any particular during the continued existence of a state of emergency (for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, except with the consent of the City Council) by the issuance of a subsequent declaration.

This emergency order shall take effect on March 17, 2020, at 3:00 p.m., and shall remain in effect until circumstances warrant rescission or when the Council directs that the emergency be concluded.

Signed: Timothy J. Adams
Mayor

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