Cattaraugus County hereby declares a State of Emergency effective at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

State of Emergency Declaration

Cattaraugus County hereby declares a State of Emergency effective at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

This local State of Emergency has been declared due to Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization has designated as a world-wide pandemic. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness associated with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and occasionally pneumonia or other respiratory related illnesses, and appears to be transmitted from person to person predominantly through respiratory droplet transmission, and if spread in the population could have significant public health consequences. Travel related cases and community contact transmission of COVID-19 have been documented throughout New York State. On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo, pursuant to Executive order 202, declared a disaster emergency in the State of New York.

Although there are no confirmed cases within Cattaraugus County to date, this situation is rapidly evolving, and the threat of this virus is imminent to the citizens and visitors of Cattaraugus County. It is necessary that Cattaraugus County be proactive and fully prepared to deal with its effects.

This State of Emergency does not in any way impact travel and County operations will continue unchanged unless otherwise advised.

I hereby direct all departments and agencies of Cattaraugus County to take the steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary.

Local emergency orders may be enacted subsequent to this declaration to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation under control.

This State of Emergency will remain in effect for a period not to exceed thirty days or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. This State of Emergency may be extended for additional periods not to exceed thirty days.

As the Chairman of the Legislature of Cattaraugus County, I, Howard V. VanRensselaer, exercise the authority given me under Article 2-B, Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law, for the purpose of procuring goods and services, and to render all required and available assistance to municipalities and school districts that is vital to the security, well-being, and health and safety of the citizens of Cattaraugus County.