WELCH, WV – To ready the City of Welch in the event of COVID-19 reaching our community, Mayor Harold McBride declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020.

“First and foremost, this is not suggesting there have been any changes in the status of our community. It is not intended to cause panic,” said McBride. “This action is taken in an abundance of caution, primarily to ensure no step is missed when the time comes to apply for funds to assist our citizens, businesses and government services.”

Mayor McBride’s proclamation is included below:

PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, as of March 31, 2020, the World Health Organization has confirmed 750.890 worldwide cases of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), including 36,405 deaths;
WHEREAS, as of April 1, 2020, there are 186.101 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, including 3,603 deaths.
WHEREAS, as of March 31, 2020, there are 191 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the State of West Virginia, including 1 death.
WHEREAS, since March 3, 2020, the number of confirmed cases and deaths form COVID-19 in the United States has grown exponentially;
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency;
WHEREAS, all states, including West Virginia, have confirmed COVID-19 cases, and, as of April 1, 2020. 48 states have declared a state of emergency;
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2020, the Governor of West Virginia ordered all public and private schools and all State Parks and Campgrounds closed throughout West Virginia until at least April 30, 2020.
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020 the Governor of the State of West Virginia issued a Stay at Home Order which directs all West Virginians to stay at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs.
WHEREAS, the City of Welch has the opportunity to take proactive and preventative measures to slow down or stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and
WHEREAS, I have continuously reviewed the situation, consulted with City Department Heads, Public Health Officials, and other state and local health officials in order to determine the need for this proclamation, NOW, THEREFORE,
I, HAROLD MCBRIDE, SR., MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WELCH, WEST VIRGINIA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM, pursuant to the authority granted to me in West Virginia Code 815-5-1, et seq., and the City of Welch Charter $3-7-9 et seq., that the spread of COVID-19 in the United States creates an existing and threatened state of emergency endangering the lives. safety, health, and welfare of the people within the City of Welch.
I hereby declare to all persons the existence of this state of emergency and, in order to more effectively protect the lives of the people within the City, effective upon the signing of this proclamation, I will be exercising the authority granted to me in West Virginia Code $15-5-1, er seq., and the City of Welch Municipal Charter $3-7-9 et seq., through the issuance of executive orders, emergency polices, and through the use and direction of City personnel, services, and equipment, to perform acts necessary to the management of this existing and threatened state of emergency.
Pursuant to the authority granted to me in West Virginia Code 815-5-1, et seq., and the City of Welch Municipal Charter $3-7-9 et seq., it shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of any restriction imposed by the executive orders or emergency policies issued under the authority of this proclamation.
Upon execution, this proclamation shall be filed with the City Clerk and a copy shall be sent to the McDowell County Commission and the Governor of West Virginia. This proclamation and any executive order or emergency policy issued under the authority of this proclamation shall be available for review by request.
This proclamation shall be in effect until I issues a subsequent proclamation rescinding the existing and threatened state of emergency.
DATED this 1st day of April, 2020.
Harold McBride, Sr., Mayor City of Welch, West Virginia