Spearfish extends ordinance to slow community spread of COVID-19
Business closures currently in place will remain through April 30
SPEARFISH, SD (April 14, 2020) – The Spearfish City Council today voted to extend the measures currently in place that limit certain in-person/onsite business in an effort to slow the community spread of COVID-19.
“This pandemic continues to impact daily life around the world, and so far, with numbers of confirmed cases holding steady in West River, the measures in place are working to flatten the curve,” Spearfish Mayor Dana Boke said.
Ordinance 1314 originally implemented measures “necessary to suppress disease and for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the City …” from April 1-15 and closed businesses of “public accommodation offering food and beverages for on-site consumption,” such as restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs, etc., to on-site/on-sale patrons. Businesses can continue to provide takeout, delivery, curbside, and drive-thru services, using social distancing practices and following all guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The ordinance also closed all recreation facilities, public pools, health clubs, athletic facilities, gyms, fitness centers, theaters, entertainment venues, arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, casinos, and other recreational/entertainment facilities during the same timeframe.
The City Council approved a resolution to extend the measures outlined in the ordinance through April 30, which is the date Ordinance 1314 expires.
The council also tabled the first reading of Ordinance 1316, which, if approved, would extend the measures. The first reading was postponed until April 23, when a special City Council meeting will take place; details about the meeting, to occur via teleconference, will be posted at this link.
The current and proposed ordinance do not apply to:
- Places of public accommodation that offer food and beverages for off-site consumption, including grocery stores, markets, retail stores that offer food/beverages, convenience stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and food pantries (other than any portion of aforementioned businesses that offer on-site consumption, in which case, would be closed to on-site consumption)
- Retail stores
- Room service in hotels
- Health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and correctional facilities
- Crisis shelters, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or other similar institutions
- Any emergency facilities necessary for the response to the current public health emergency or any other community emergency or disaster
- Official meetings of the city, schools, county, or state
- The operations and meetings of any state or federal courts
- Any business that does not fall within the descriptions listed in the ordinance that are required to close.
Many local businesses voluntarily limited access, reduced hours, or closed prior to the ordinance. All businesses that remain open must follow Governor Krist Noem’s executive order and are encouraged to follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The City asks residents to practice all recommended CDC guidelines everywhere, including their necessary trips to businesses, outside in public open spaces, at home, etc. These recommendations include:
- Avoid groups of 10 or more people;
- Practice social distancing, keeping at least 6 feet away from others;
- Avoid non-essential travel;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others in public.
“We encourage everyone to keep supporting local businesses through the various options available, whether takeout and delivery or purchasing gift cards, and we also appreciate the creative ways people are showing their support with signs and messages and well-wishes to all of the community heroes who are providing health care and emergency services and stocked shelves in the grocery stores and all of the services that keep our community running,” Mayor Boke said. “Thank you to everyone for keeping Spearfish ‘Spearfish’ during this disruptive time. We will get through this.”
The City continues to get the latest information from health care professionals at the local, state, national, and international level and has launched the webpage, https://www.cityofspearfish.com/723/COVID-19, to provide resources to citizens, and on that site are links to those seeking reemployment assistance, small business disaster loans, tax relief, etc. People in need of assistance or looking to assist those in need may also fill out forms to get connected to various resources, organizations, agencies, etc.
“We also encourage those who are willing, able, and healthy to sign up for the Spearfish Community Blood Drive on April 20,” Mayor Boke said, directing people to sign up for an appointment at this link or by calling (605) 646-2625. Should the appointments fill, another blood drive will be scheduled.
In addition to the resolution approved, the City’s public facilities including City Hall, the Spearfish Recreation and Aquatics Center, Grace Balloch Memorial Library, Hudson Hall, etc., are closed until further notice. The waterpark will not open in 2020. City parks and rec paths remain open, with people reminded of Governor Noem’s executive order that restricts public gatherings of more than 10 people. Users of the parks and rec path should practice social distancing when outside enjoying the public spaces.
Visit cityofspearfish.com for more information.