MEDIA RELEASE
February 10, 2021
Executive Policy Group scheduled to discuss extending local state of emergency
(Brooksville, FL) Hernando County Government will hold an Executive Policy Group (EPG) meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 starting at 1 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center, located at 18900 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville, to discuss extending the Local State of Emergency in Hernando County in response to the significant public demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. EPG meetings are open to the public however, public comment will not be taken. Actions taken at this meeting will be publicized shortly after each meeting concludes.
The EPG, comprised of the following members, is informed by the Emergency Management Director and advised by the Hernando County Attorney in accordance with County Ordinance Ch. 21, Article XII:
- Board of County Commission Chairman
- County Administrator
- County Sheriff
- City of Brooksville Mayor
- Superintendent of Schools
- Department of Health Administrator
The Local State of Emergency declaration provides Hernando County Government the authority to take action as needed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our community. This includes making emergency purchases, obtain additional resources, renting equipment, hiring workers, utilizing volunteers, etc. There is significant public demand for the COVID-19 vaccine, and there is a need to support the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County in expanding capacity for mass vaccine distribution.
On January 12, 2021, a State of Local Emergency was declared for Hernando County and extended for an additional seven days on January 19, January 26, February 2 and February 9, 2021. The Local State of Emergency is extended in seven-day increments pursuant to Florida Statutes 252.38(3)(a)(5) and Hernando County Code 21-204(b).
On December 29, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis executed Executive Order 20-316 extending Executive Order 20-52, as extended by Executive Orders 20-114 and 20-166, 20-192, 20-213 and 20-276, finding that COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the State of Florida and extending the State of Emergency.
