2020-02-28 Mayor Kim Issues Emergency Proclamation to Increase Preparedness -- press release

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Roy Takemoto Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 February 28, 2020 NEWS RELEASE Mayor Kim Issues Emergency Proclamation to Increase Preparedness Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim issued an Emergency Proclamation on Friday to increase preparedness for the possible arrival of Coronavirus in the State. There are NO confirmed cases of the virus, also known as COVID-19. The proclamation is a proactive measure to do all we can to prevent the virus from coming here and to do all we can to limit its impact if it does come here. Besides heightening preparedness, the Emergency Proclamation will allow for greater mobilization of County resources, positions the County for reimbursement should State or Federal monies become available, allow for coordination with Federal, State and NGO (non-governmental organization) partners and allow for reassignment of County personnel if necessary. “While recognizing that the County of Hawai‘i and the State of Hawai‘i have no reported COVID-19 cases, the County of Hawai‘i will be increasing promotion of precautionary measures and education as recommended by the CDC and State of Hawai‘i Department of Health by increasing County-wide programs” of prevention and education, the Proclamation said. Mayor Kim said the County is actively promoting measures to protect people from the virus and to prevent its spread, as recommended by the CDC. The measures include frequent washing of hands, healthy cough etiquette, and avoidance of touching of eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. The CDC also recommends getting the seasonal flu shot, to help reduce the number of seasonal flu sufferers. “Our goal is to stop the virus, and if it does come here, to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Mayor Kim said. He said that the County is working closely with the Governor’s Office and the State Department of Health to achieve this goal. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.