Havre de Grace Mayor Declares State Of Emergency

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Due to the new coronavirus, Havre de Grace Mayor Bill Martin declared a local state of emergency Tuesday that will take effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday. He said the state of emergency would continue through April 30 unless amended before then.

Issuing the declaration enables the city more flexibility and authority to ensure public safety and the continuity of city operations, according to the mayor.

Martin made several announcements while delivering the emergency declaration:

• How to handle the May election is under review. "Right now my team is developing a contingency plan for the 2020 election," Martin said of the election planned for May 5. The team will consider a postponement and is expected to provide a recommendation by mid April. A decision will be issued no later than April 21, Martin said. Municipalities can postpone elections if necessary, based on the order issued by Gov. Larry Hogan this week.
• Pedestrian traffic on the Promenade will be modified to keep crowds from congregating. "To avoid closing the Promenade, we are going to post signs directing people to enter by the yacht basin and exit by Concord Point," Martin said, adding that people tended to gather in the center of the walkway. "The last thing I want to do is close down the parks or the Promenade," Martin said. "So let's see if we can practice social distancing, Havre de Grace."
• Residents are encouraged to light up their homes. The mayor and his wife launched a campaign called Light Up Havre de Grace with Hope and have encouraged other neighbors to decorate their homes with lights.

Open

• City parks
• City Council April 20 meeting — The public will not be able to observe in person; it will be live-streamed.

Closed

• Playgrounds
• April 11 dumpster day event canceled
• April budget session

Video above from the city of Havre de Grace.