GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — Gadsden County leaders have issued a stay-at-home order and a night curfew in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Friday, Gadsden County leaders met for an emergency meeting. During the meeting, leaders decided to take action.
The stay-at-home order means residents are being asked to stay home except for when performing essential tasks like, but not limited to, going to the grocery store, going to or leaving work or getting gas.
The night curfew will going to effect on Friday night. That curfew will start at 9 p.m. daily and end at 6 a.m. the following morning.
Any person in violation of the curfew will be guilty of a 2nd degree misdemeanor.
This was followed with a firm warning from the sheriff.
"We will be out in numbers," said Gadsden County Sheriff, Morris Young. "We will be covering this county. We will be carrying out these restrictions, so if you don't comply you will see a deputy or other law enforcement official coming to shut you down."
Gadsden County leaders issue Stay at Home order, social distancing guidelines and 9pm-6am curfew starting tonight. @abc27 pic.twitter.com/qD2kz2ewks
— Chantelle Navarro (@ChantelleABC27) March 27, 2020
Along with measure, gatherings of 10 or more are prohibited. That includes, but is not limited to, assemblies, funerals, church functions, house parties, and family reunions.
Commissioners are asking no more than a household be in the same room together.
Parks, bowling alleys, pool halls, playgrounds, internet cafes, movie theaters and other entertainment venues are also closed to the public. Residents are also required to practice social distancing.
Sheriff Young said people need to take the precautions against the coronavirus seriously because it's affecting the entire world.
"Gadsden County is no exception," Young said. "I do know that if this virus starts to hit Gadsden County, we will not be able to control it. It's going to take out our elderly population, so we need to think of them."
The only people allowed out during curfew hours are those going to work, getting food or medicine, or walking a dog.
All precautions will stay in place for the foreseeable future, until the outbreak clears.
This is a developing story. Stay with us for details.
