BREAKING: City of Huron passes emergency ordinance to slow the spread of COVID-19
March 23, 2020
HURON, S.D.–With six new cases of COVID19 reported in Beadle County this weekend, and the county on the, “verge of community spread” according to Governor Noem, the Huron City Commission met in special session Sunday night to take measures to slow the spread of the virus.
They include far-reaching business closures that impact bars, restaurants, fitness centers, and bowling alleys. The closures do NOT impact pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores or retail stores that sell food.
The full text of the commission’s actions can be read below:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Commission of the City of Huron
1. Effective at 12:00 a.m. on March 23, 2020, all restaurants, food courts, coffee houses,
bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, clubs, cafes and other similar places of public
accommodation offering food and beverages for on‐site consumption, including any
alcohol licensees with on‐sale privileges, are closed to on‐site/on‐sale patrons. These
businesses may continue to operate in order to provide take‐out, delivery, curbside
service, drive‐thru service. Any business continuing to operate in order to provide off‐
site service should implement procedures to ensure social distancing and operate in
compliance with federal and state health guidance in order to prevent the spread of
COVID‐19.
2. Effective at 12:00 a.m. on March 23, 2020, all recreational facilities, public pools, health
clubs, athletic facilities and theaters, including movie theaters and music or
entertainment venues are directed to close and cease operations.
3. Effective at 12:00 a.m. on March 23, 2020, all hookah lounges, cigar bars, vaping lounges
or other similar business which allow for on‐site consumption are directed to cease
allowing on‐site consumption, but may continue to offer products for sale to consume
off‐site under the same conditions as bars and restaurants outlined in paragraph #1.
4. Effective at 12:00 a.m. on March 23, 2020, all arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys.
Indoor climbing facilities, skating rinks, trampoline parks, and other similar
recreational or entertainment facilities are directed to close and cease operations.
5. The prohibitions and closures in this order do not apply to the following businesses:
a. Places of public accommodation that offer food and beverages for off‐site
consumption, including grocery stores, markets, retail stores that offer food,
convenience stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and food pantries, other than
any portion of such business which would be subject to the requirements of
paragraph #1.
b. Room service in hotels.
c. Health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities,
and correctional facilities.
d. Crisis shelters, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or other similar institutions.
e. Airport concessionaires.
f. Any emergency facilities necessary for the response to the current public
health emergency or any other community emergency or disaster.
6. This ordinance shall remain in effect until such time as it is amended or repealed.
