A state of emergency has been declared over the ongoing measles outbreak at Rockland County. Due to the current situation, the Executive Ed Day announced that the non-vaccinated minors have been barred from public places. With immediate effect, anyone who is under 18 years of age and is not vaccinated, against the measles outbreak will now be prohibited from public places until the declaration expires in 30 days or until they receive the MMR vaccination.
Officials have said that the law enforcement will not be patrolling the streets or asking for vaccination records but if someone is found in violation of the declaration, then their case will be referred to the district attorney’s office. Even the parents will be held accountable for their children if they are found violating the state of emergency. The officials have said that there will be no religious exemptions and that they will be working with area rabbis who have been encouraging the members to get vaccinated.
The emergency declaration has said that public places are defined as a place where more than 10 persons are intended to gather for a purpose like governmental, civic, social or religious functions or for recreation or shopping for food or drink consumption or for daycare, or awaiting transportation, or educational purposes or for medical treatment. According to the law enforcement, a place of public assembly will also include public transportation vehicles, but will not be limited to publicly or privately owned buses or trains and does not include taxi or livery vehicles.
The health officials at Rockland County have informed that there are currently 153 confirmed cases of measles in the country. Day said, “As this outbreak has continued, our inspectors have begun to meet resistance from those they are trying to protect”. The official also added that the intention of the state of emergency is not to arrest people but to educate the community and gain compliance.
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