WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of Mayor of the City of Baker, by City of Baker Charter, Article III, Sections 3-01 and 3-07; Article II, Sections 9-31 and 9-32; Article VI, Section 14-55 and other respective Louisiana laws, Parish Ordinances and Baker Ordinances, and due to the apparent imminent threats and dangers posed to the health and safety of the citizens of Baker by the COVID-19 virus, which have created emergency conditions within the City of Baker, and consistent with and as an update to the City of Baker Emergency Declaration issued on March 16, 2020, as well as subsequent published Updates, and consistent with CDC and State of Louisiana Guidelines and/or Orders:
I, DARNELL WAITES, Mayor of the City of Baker, do hereby order that public access to all City of Baker public meeting places shall remain closed and it is ordered that all Public Meetings remain cancelled and/or postponed until further Notice.
Furthermore, I as the Mayor of the City of Baker do urgently recommend, that all Baker citizens and/or visitors to this City wisely remain sheltered in place in compliance with CDC and State of Louisiana Guidelines and/or Orders until further notice, in order to avoid or reduce the chance of contracting the COVID-19 infection which has caused confirmed deaths.
Additionally, in order to avoid or reduce COVID-19 infections and/or death and for the safety of all citizens, I as Mayor of the City of Baker with the strongest urgency highly recommend that all gatherings of more than ten (10) people in the City of Baker including but not limited to, in home or outdoor parties, visits and barbecues etc., and all other group recreational activities must refrain from and/or cease until further notice.
Furthermore, regarding all businesses classified as ‘essential’ by Governor John Bel Edwards which are currently operating and conducting business within the City of Baker, in order to avoid or reduce COVID-19 infections and/or death and for the safety of all business customers and citizens, I as Mayor of the City of Baker with the strongest urgency highly recommend that all ‘essential business’ owners require their employees to wear CDC recommended masks while at work and that to the fullest extent possible they encourage and/or require customers who must come into the presence of ‘essential business’ employees and customers who physically enter the place of business to do the same, until further notice.
Meanwhile, Remain Informed, Vigilant, Disciplined and Baker Strong. For more updates and information visit our website: www.cityofbakerla.com
Darnell Waites, Mayor
April 14, 2020