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FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – Governor Doug Burgum on Friday evening announced several mitigation measures to slow the accelerated spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota to protect vulnerable people, ensure hospital capacity and keep schools and the economy open.
Capacity is strained throughout the state’s healthcare system, jeopardizing the ability of hospitals to deliver the top-notch treatment North Dakotians are accustomed to.
This affects not only patients with COVID-19, but also those seeking care for heart attacks, cancer, trauma and other urgent needs, Burgum noted.
“Our doctors and nurses who work heroically on the front lines need our help, and they need it now. From the start, we have taken a data-driven approach to our response to the pandemic, focusing on saving lives and livelihoods. Right now, the data demands a higher level of mitigation efforts to reverse these dangerous trends, to slow the spread of this virus and to avoid the need for economic shutdowns, ”Burgum said in a post announcing the measures. “Our situation has changed and we must change with it. Tonight, we are announcing four measures designed to reduce the spread of infections in our communities to protect our most vulnerable and ensure the capacity of hospitals.
The measures include an order from the state health official requiring the wearing of face masks in indoor businesses and indoor public places as well as outdoor public places where physical distancing is not possible. The order, signed by interim public health official Dirk Wilke, is in effect from November 14 to December 13. It includes exceptions for children under 5, people with a health problem or a medical or mental disability that makes wearing a mask unreasonable, and religious services.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week that “adopting universal masking policies can help prevent future lockdowns” and that masks not only protect people around the individual wearing the mask. , but also the wearer of the mask.
“The most effective weapon against COVID-19 is wearing a mask,” Wilke said. “It’s a simple, but essential tool to help protect our loved ones and slow the spread.”
Burgum today signed a decree to implement the other mitigation measures, which will come into effect on Monday, November 16, and are as follows:
- All bars, restaurants and catering establishments are limited to 50 percent of their authorized seating capacity, not exceeding 150 customers, and are closed for in-person service between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Take-out, curbside and delivery will still be allowed during these hours, and Burgum urged residents of North Dakota to take advantage and support local businesses.
For those who were already following ND Smart Restart recommendations of 25% capacity in high-risk countries, the change will allow them to safely welcome more customers to their establishments with masking and distancing requirements.
Burgum noted that the state will soon make $ 54 million available through a hospitality grant program to help these businesses get through this difficult time, and has made $ 70 million available through the Bank of North Dakota to buy out interest on eligible existing debt for any business whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
- All banquet, ball and event venues are limited to 25% of their maximum occupancy, without exceeding new capacity limits that have been established with input from venues and local public health officials based on size of the place. Physical distances and masks will be required for the safety of all site staff and customers.
- Championship playoff contests and performance events sponsored by the North Dakota High School Activities Association during the month of November may continue as required by NDHSAA. All high school winter sports and other extracurricular primary and secondary school activities are suspended until December 14. This also applies to all associations, community sports and clubs for young people and adults.
College and intercollegiate activities should follow the guidelines of the North Dakota University System and their respective national organizations.
Burgum said the four-week break from activities will help keep schools open to in-person instruction – the optimal learning environment for most students – and ensure that students continue to follow the strategies of reduction of mask wearing and physical distance.
“I fully support and endorse the orders signed today by Governor Burgum and the state health official,” said Dr. Joshua Wynne, chief health strategist for North Dakota and dean of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “As citizens of North Dakota, we must act now to limit the spread of the virus and thus prevent our hospital capacity from being threatened. Let’s do these things now so that by Thanksgiving the pandemic situation in North Dakota is headed in the right direction.
Those who violate the mask and ability requirements may be cited for a violation. Burgum urged law enforcement and public health agencies to prioritize education in their enforcement, providing warnings and information about the risk of transmission, while reserving penalties for the most violations. flagrant threats that endanger public health.
Industries not covered by the executive order must continue to follow North Dakota’s smart restart guidelines.
In addition to these four metrics, state officials continue to meet daily with major North Dakota hospitals to optimize capacity planning and meet resource requirements.
“Despite North Dakota’s remarkable case finding and case finding efforts, these measures are no longer enough, and we now desperately need to implement stronger measures to save lives and preserve our staff. and our healthcare capabilities, ”said Dr. Paul Carson, infectious disease specialist, professor of public health at North Dakota State University, and medical adviser to the state’s COVID-19 response. “We have a growing body of strong evidence that masking, especially when combined with other mitigation strategies, can significantly reduce the spread of the virus. I am so grateful that the governor has taken the bold step of implementing a statewide mask mandate, and I hope that helps flatten the curve. “
Medical experts say small social gatherings with family and friends are also behind the current COVID-19 outbreak across the country. Burgum urged residents of North Dakota to try to limit gatherings to their immediate family group as much as possible for the next four weeks and to wear a mask if they meet with people outside the home.
“We believe in the North Dakotans. We believe in the power of individual responsibility. And we need individual responsibility more than ever to slow the spread of COVID-19, ”Burgum said.
Copyright 2020 KVLY. All rights reserved.
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