ABERDEEN, S.D. (aberdeennews.com) – The Aberdeen City Council has approved the first reading a new city ordinance drafted in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This ordinance was addressed at Monday’s regular meeting and is the third ordinance the council has discussed and approved. This ordinance will need a second reading by the council before it goes into effect, but a nearly identical version will go into effect Wednesday if approved at a special meeting today at 5:30 p.m.
Some of the council appeared via video conference on Monday to keep the number in the council room to a minimum, but five were required to attend to meet open meeting law requirements. Councilman Mark Remily was not in attendance.
To recap, the council has taken action on two ordinances specifically drafted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These will be referred to as ordinance No. 1 and ordinance No. 2. Ordinance No. 1 requires businesses to follow CDC recommendations for social distancing and group sizes. It does not prevent businesses from offering take-out, curbside or delivery services. The second reading of this ordinance was last week Wednesday. It went into effect Thursday.
The first reading of Ordinance No. 2 was also approved Wednesday. The second reading of this ordinance is today. This ordinance requires restaurants, bars and businesses to close dine-in options, but still does not prevent take-out, delivery or curbside services. This ordinance also closes salons and barber shops as well as large event centers.