| Section 1. | On the 20th day of March 2020, I determined and declared a local State of Emergency for the County of Burke in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. |
| Section 2. | On the 20th day of March 2020, I ordered the execution of the Burke County Emergency Action Plan. |
| Section 3. | On the 27th day of March 2020, I amended the Declaration of a State of Emergency to direct all persons within the geographical boundaries of Burke County, North Carolina to reduce the strain on vital emergency medical services personnel and medical facilities and help combat COVID-19 by: - avoiding all outdoor activities considered to be high risk (rock climbing, rappelling, swift water boating or rafting and zip lining) within Burke County and the Pisgah National Forest or the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area,
- not camping overnight in the Pisgah National Forest or the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area,
- avoiding hiking or backpacking in unfamiliar territory.
- continuing to practice all COVID-19 preventative measures and social distancing,
- limiting visits to the Pisgah National Forest to day trips only,
- walking, hiking or backpacking only on trails that are low risk and personally known, and
- taking extra provisions when walking, hiking or backpacking and being prepared to stay longer than anticipated in the event of an emergency.
|
| Section 4. | The amended declaration, among other things, suspended rentals of all lodging facilities, including Airbnb rentals, bed and breakfast rentals, VRBO vacation rentals by owners, campgrounds, timeshare units, condominiums, and other rental programs or places where leases or rentals are for less than one (1) month in duration, until further notice, in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus due to human travel. |
| Section 5. | I have determined that the State of Emergency existing in the County of Burke no longer requires the suspension of rentals, as it pertains to the rental of lodging facilities, including Airbnb rentals, bed and breakfast rentals, VRBO vacation rentals by owners, campgrounds, timeshare units, condominiums, and other rental programs or places where leases or rentals are for less than one (1) month in duration, provided the owners, operators and renters of said facilities strictly adhere to all virus spreading prevention strategies such as wearing masks, social distancing and sanitizing protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control. |
| Section 6. | I hereby amend the Declaration of State of Emergency to eliminate the suspension of rentals concerning lodging facilities, including Airbnb rentals, bed and breakfast rentals, VRBO vacation rentals by owners, campgrounds, timeshare units, condominiums, and other rental programs or places where leases or rentals are for less than one (1) month in duration. The Declaration of a State of Emergency as amended by the Amendment of March 27, 2020, and by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect. |
| Section 7. | Reports of violations of any rules or recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control or a positive COVID-19 test result connected to lodging facilities, including Airbnb rentals, bed and breakfast rentals, VRBO vacation rentals by owners, campgrounds, timeshare units, condominiums, and other rental programs or places where leases or rentals are for less than one (1) month in duration, will be grounds for reconsideration of this Amendment. |
| Section 8. | This declaration shall become effective immediately. |