Mayor’s declaration enacts emergency measures Mayor’s declaration enacts emergency measures

Mayor Tim Monceaux has joined municipal, parish and state officials in recognizing the danger of the coronavirus pandemic and has declared a state of emergency to exist in the city.
The mayor’s declaration notes that, since the governor’s declaration of a public health emergency on March 13, the COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana has expanded significantly and additional measures are necessary to protect the public health and safety.
“The City of Crowley intends to proactively address the significant impact on the methods and ability to provide emergency response, essential public services and other needs of the citizens while, at the same time, addressing the impact and hardships upon city employees,” Monceaux said in the declaration.
The mayor’s declaration enacts the following measures:
• All Emergency Preparedness Disaster and Health Hazards Plans are activated and all departments are to coordinate with the Acadia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
• All gatherings of 50 people or more from now until April 13 shall be postponed or cancelled.
This applies only to gatherings in a single space at the same time where individuals will be in close proximity to one another. It does not apply to normal operations at locations like medical facilities, shopping centers, office buildings, factories or manufacturing facilities or grocery or department stores.
• All casinos, video poker establishments, movie theaters, bars, bowling alleys and fitness centers and gyms in the city shall cease operations.
Truck stops may remain in operation but shall cease all gaming operations.
These restrictions shall remain in place until 11:59 p.m. on April 12 unless terminated earlier.
• All restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in Crowley shall cease allowing for any on-premises consumption of food or beverage.
Any establishments affected by this order may continue take-out, drive-thru and delivery services; however, in no circumstances shall the food of beverages purchased be consumed on premises.
Hotel restaurants may continue operations, but only for the service of registered hotel guests via room service.
These restrictions also shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 12 unless terminated earlier.
• All public schools in the city shall close facilities to students until April 13. Schools providing meals or other essential services with applicable staff shall comply with appropriate social distancing measures.
• In order to reduce contact with members of the public and to limit personal interaction of individuals with city employees, governmental offices and facilities, Crowley City Hall, the International Rice Festival Building and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center are closed to the public until further notice.
Business with the city shall be conducted via telephone (783-0824), FAX (783-3128), email and U.S. mail. A temporary mailbox has been placed near the front doors of city hall for citizens wishing to hand-deliver items.
When dealing with members of the public, all city employees shall maintain appropriate social distancing measures and, when necessary, utilize protective equipment.
• Price gouging is prohibited.
• Any organization licensed by the state to conduct games of chance — raffles, bingo, keno, etc. — shall not be authorized to hold or conduct any sessions until April 12.
• All city employees who intend to travel or have traveled to or have household members who intend to travel or have traveled to areas designated as Warning Level 2 or Level 3 or above by the CDC are directed to notify their supervisor and the Human Resources Director Julie Romero of travel no later than 48 hours before departure and immediately upon return.
• City employees shall notify their supervisor and the H.R. director if they or a household member develops symptoms associated with coronavirus.
• The city will follow the guidelines set for all state employees by the Civil Service Commission and the Division of Administration regarding quarantine and management of sick leave for all employees affects by or exposed to COVID-19.
• The city will comply with the governor’s amended directive regarding attendance at essential public meetings via teleconference as may be necessary for quorums and other matters.
• Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard is authorized to implement a local curfew from 10 p.m to 5 a.m. if deemed necessary to protect life and property and/or to bring emergency situations under control.
• All departments, commissions, boards, agencies and officers of the city are authorized and directed to cooperate in any actions the state and parish may take in response to the effects of the pandemic.
The state of emergency is retroactive to March 13 and extends to Thursday, April 9, unless terminated sooner.