City Council approves third version of COVID-19 ordinance

ABERDEEN, S.D. (aberdeennews.com) – The Aberdeen City Council gave final reading to the third version of an emergency ordinance drafted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This ordinance replaces version 2, but the only change with this ordinance is that the council now has the ability to repeal portions of the restrictions within the ordinance if it sees fit.

As it’s written, the ordinance, closes restaurants, bars and casinos, coffee house, gentlemen’s club, etc., to dine-in customers, but does not prohibit drive-through, curbside or delivery services.

The ordinance also closes all indoor recreational facilities. Tobacco and vaping shops are not allowed to offer on-site consumption of products.

Tattoo parlors, beauty salons, barber shops, spas, massage studios and other personal care facilities are also closed to on-site services.

Public gatherings of 10 people or more are also prohibited where there is not sufficient space to provide a 6-foot separation between people.

Specific businesses like grocery stores, convenience stores, crisis shelters, pharmacies, health care facilities, day care facilities and correction facilities and churches are not affected by this ordinance.

This new emergency ordinance went into effect at 12:01 a.m. this morning and is in effect for 60 days. The council also has to reaffirm the need for this ordinance at every meeting held within that 60-day period. A violation of this ordinance is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

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