BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced Tuesday all Erie County campgrounds will close effective 9 a.m. April 15 following an emergency order.
"Based on reports we've received, and as approved by NYS, today I've signed an emergency order closing all campgrounds (as defined by NY law and which require a permit to operate) in Erie County, and prohibiting camping at any of these sites, effective 9 am tomorrow," Poloncarz tweeted Tuesday.
The emergency order says in part: "The nature of activity at campgrounds does not allow for the practice of effective social-distancing such that life, health, and safety of the residents of Erie County may be imperiled thereby."
Based on reports we've received, and as approved by NYS, today I've signed an emergency order closing all campgrounds (as defined by NY law and which require a permit to operate) in Erie County, and prohibiting camping at any of these sites, effective 9 am tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/LudY3KsxnO
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) April 14, 2020
Poloncarz issued a further statement which said:
“Based on reports we’ve received, and as approved by New York State, I have signed this emergency order on campgrounds that will go into effect at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Not only do campgrounds allow for large gatherings of people in contradiction of necessary social distancing measures, but under NYS law campgrounds must also be monitored and reviewed by our Public Health Sanitarians, all of whom are currently engaged in stopping the spread of the coronavirus in our community. Our Public Health team is already being stretched in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing these campgrounds makes better use of our resources and will help to protect our community.”
