Heather Bell
RADFORD – Radford City Council unanimously voted to continue a restriction on people gathering in groups of 50 or more until Sept. 18.
The restriction was put into place Aug. 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was set to expire on Aug. 31. With the number of COVID-19 positive tests continuing to increase in the city, council members opted to extend the ordinance limiting gathering size to 50 until Sept. 18. City Council meets again on Sept. 14.
Last Thursday, Radford had 75 positive test results among its residents. On Friday, it had 91, 110 on Saturday, 133 on Sunday and 166 on Monday, according to Virginia Department of Health data.
The original ordinance proposed to extend the restrictions to Sept. 30 but failed on a three-to-two vote because it was an emergency ordinance and therefore had to pass on a four-to-one vote. Councilman Forrest Hite, who voted against the extension along with Councilman Onassis Burress, said he has spoken to citizens who fear the ordinance becoming indefinite.
“I don’t want this to feel indefinite,” he said. “I want it to feel intentional.”
Mayor David Horton was unaware of the need to four affirmative votes prior to the failed ordinance but adjusted the date to Sept.18 from Sept. 30 once notified of the four vote requirement from the city attorney.
“Splitting hairs on this is really not the best way to go about it, but if that’s the only way to get the four votes we need for it to go into effect, that’s what we’ll do,” said Horton.
City Council’s next scheduled meeting is set for Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
