City of East Providence
Office of the Mayor
Declaration of municipal emergency
Executive Order 2021-014
August 23, 2021
Declaration of state of municipal emergency
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States government declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the State of Rhode Island declared its own State of Emergency on March 9, 2020, which has been extended at various times by the Governor, the most recent extension having been issued on August 19, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (“Delta variant”) is now sweeping the nation and has become the dominant strain in the State of Rhode Island and in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Delta variant has become prevalent in our community and poses a direct threat to the continued health and safety of our residents and our city employees; and
WHEREAS, the Delta variant is more than twice as contagious as recent variants, and 3 to 4 times more contagious than the original COVID-19 strain, leading to a significant transmission among unvaccinated individuals as well as to breakthrough infections among some fully- vaccinated people; and
WHEREAS, the wearing of face masks as recommended by the Center for Diseases Control helps control the spread of the Delta variant virus; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law §§ 30-15-12 and 30-15-13, as well as the Home Rule Charter of the City of East Providence Article III, Section 3-5(9), permit the Mayor to declare a State of Municipal Emergency for the purpose of taking action to protect the health, safety and security of the City and its inhabitants; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Laws §§ 30-15-12(b) and 30-15-9(e)(1) permit the Mayor to suspend the provisions of any statute, regulation, or requirement prescribing the procedures for the conduct of city business, or the orders, rules, regulations of any city, board, or agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with this emergency; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Laws§§ 30-15-9(e)(3) and (7), and 30-15-12(b), permit the Mayor to transfer the direction, personnel, or functions of City departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating emergency services; to control ingress and egress to and from high-risk areas, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein; and to take the appropriate measure for the protection of health, safety, and welfare of the people of the city/town and to prevent or minimize the loss of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Roberto L. DaSilva, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer of the City of East Providence, pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws and the Home Rule Charter of the City of East Providence, do hereby order and direct the following:
1. A state of municipal emergency is hereby declared for the City of East Providence due to the dangers to health and life posed by COVID-19 and the Delta variant.
2. All employees of the City of East Providence shall wear masks while working for the City in all City buildings and offices regardless of their individual vaccination status when interacting with the public or coworkers and while driving in city-owned vehicles with passengers.
3. Upon entering any City building or indoor facility, all members of the public above the age of (2) two shall be required to wear facial covering/mask unless exempted by health reasons.
4. All City departments are required to have masks available for members of the public who may not have them when entering City buildings or facilities.
5. City residents are strongly encouraged to curtail visiting City Hall or other municipal offices to conduct non-essential business and to utilize the City’s website to conduct routine business.
Roberto DaSilva
So Ordered:
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Roberto L. DaSilva
Mayor
