The purpose of this document is to provide information and guidelines to local officials for social distancing planning. Social distancing is defined to include measures that increase the distance between individuals. These interventions can be applied to individuals, large groups or an entire community or region. They are designed to reduce personal interactions and thereby the risk of disease transmission. Some options include: • Canceling events (concerts, movie theaters, etc.). • Canceling school classes and events. • Canceling church services and activities. • Shutting down or limiting mass transit. • Declaring “snow days”, asking everyone to stay home and closing “non-essential” businesses, schools, churches etc. “Non-essential” means those facilities that do not maintain primary functions in the community. Social distancing would be implemented during a health emergency when extraordinary measures are required to control the spread of disease or infection. Be aware that state and federal laws may be modified, suspended or enacted in response to a pandemic.