The Caldwell County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, March 17 approved an order declaring a local state of Emergency for Caldwell County that includes language prohibiting community gatherings of 50 people or more as the situation surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop.

The order was amended March 18 to include what defines a community gathering and list situations to which the 50-person limit applies.

The move by commissioners extends the declaration signed into law by Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden on Monday, March 16 by 21 days. The original order put a cap of 250 people on community gatherings.

Violation of the order is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or a sentence of up to 180 days in jail.

A local disaster declaration allows local governments to allocate resources and personnel as well as request funds and additional resources from the state and federal governments to assist in managing the effects of COVID-19.

Read the full March 18 declaration here.