On Friday Becky Erickson, the mayor of Poulsbo, issued a proclamation of emergency as concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19 continue to escalate.

“The situation is sufficiently serious that it is necessary to proclaim an emergency within the City due to the possibility that the spread of COVID-19 may become a pandemic; and measures must be taken to protect public health, safety and welfare of City residents, visitors and staff; and additional resources may be required in response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” reads the proclamation, which went into effect at the moment of signature by the mayor. The proclamation is expected to be affirmed by City Council Wednesday.

“Really it does two things,” Erickson said Friday afternoon. “It allows some flexibility in government process to purchase goods and services, and it also allows the potential for federal funding for any costs incurred by us or our community.”

The mayor also urged residents to remain calm but exercise a few common sense precautions.

“Be prudent, don’t panic, be cautious, wash your hands, if you’re sick, stay home and don’t go to the grocery store,” Erickson said. “Be mindful of your surroundings, stay away from folks that are obviously symptomatic, if they’re coughing and hacking, stay away.”

“Be patient,” Erickson added. “This thing will move along, I am very hopeful by the next month we are going to see a real turn in a lot of the things that are going on.”

“We’re going to be fine.”