Lincoln County Visitor Precautions
In a proactive effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Corona Virus), Lincoln County is taking steps to help protect employees and visitors at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Canton. Signs have placed on our entry doors at the courthouse that state, "If you are experiencing flu like symptoms, please conduct your County business remotely". Phone numbers and email addresses for county services can be found on their website at www.lincolncountysd.org.
Mayor TenHaken declares state of emergency in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken declared a state of emergency in the City of Sioux Falls March 12, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 presence in the community. A declaration allows the mayor to convene an emergency meeting of the City Council.
The Mayor requested a City Council meeting at 7 p.m.Thursday night to pass ordinances to restrict the movement of people within the City of Sioux Falls. The emergency declaration also provide the City contractual flexibility and the ability to target resources quickly. The emergency declaration limits all large gatherings on city-owned facilities to 250 people or less.
As of Thursday, March 12, 2020, there were three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnehaha County.
“Out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, I am proposing aggressive steps to protect our vulnerable populations in Sioux Falls,” said TenHaken. “Every single person in Sioux Falls has a role to play in slowing the spread of this virus, which is our top priority. I want the people of Sioux Falls to be confident in our response efforts. The City, State, Avera, Sanford Health and other community partners are united in our commitment to slow the spread and help those impacted.”
Other closings:
• Parks and Recreation Department and Siouxland Libraries have canceled events for the next 14 days.
• Community centers will be closed except for after-school activities until 6 p.m. during the business week.
• The Washington Pavilion will close the Kirby Science Center and Visual Arts Museum until March 27.
The emergency declaration takes effect at midnight Friday, March 13, forcing the cancellation of this weekend's Sioux Falls Sportsmen Show, which kicked off the annual four-day event Thursday.
Supreme Court Declares a Judicial Emergency in South Dakota
The South Dakota Supreme Court has issued the attached order declaring a judiciary emergency in South Dakota as a result of COVID-19. The order is intended as a proactive measure to enable the court system to respond swiftly to any emerging public health crisis in the courts of the state and to ensure the safety of court personnel, litigants and the public that interact with the court system.