BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood has declared a health emergency in the city.
He says the proclamation will allow a nimble response to the changing situation presented by the COVID-19 outbreak as departments can enter into emergency contracts and take other actions quickly.
The city is also cancelling non-essential events and meetings involving more than 10 people through the end of April.
Mount Vernon has also declared a health emergency.
The emergency proclamation was approved by City Council and signed by Mayor Jill Boudreau in an effort to position the City to mobilize necessary COVID-19 response plans, should they be needed.
The proclamation authorizes the mayor to delegate incident control, response and public order to her fire and police chiefs.
And it allows the City to receive state and federal recovery assistance.