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The Supreme Council
MOTHER COUNCIL OF THE WORLD
OF THE
THIRTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE
Michael L. Wiggins, 33°
Sovereign Grand Inspector General
In Texas
ORIENT OF TEXAS
Emergency Directives for Distribution – 16 March 2020
UPDATED – 23 March 2020
Since my Emergency Directives issued just a week ago on 16 March 2020 relative to COVID-19, much has changed regarding health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health directives from the State of Texas, various counties across the State, and the Grand Master of Masons in Texas. My directives may be extended or amended as appropriate.
Spring Reunions Postponed or Canceled: Effectively immediately (March 16), all Spring Reunions and reunion-related activities to be held in the Orient of Texas are postponed or canceled through April 30, 2020. This includes recruitment activities, degree practices, and degree conferrals. Further information will be issued by your Valley.
Scottish Rite Stated Meetings: While decisions on holding meetings were originally left as a local Valley decision, I have decided it is in the best interest of our Fraternity to cancel all Scottish Rite meetings of any kind immediately (March 23) through April 30, 2020. This directive applies to all Scottish Rite activities including Clubs, Degree Teams, Committees, Social Groups, etc. This information should be communicated to your membership as soon as possible.
Scottish Rite Buildings: Our Scottish Rite Buildings MAY remain open subject to any local, county, state, or federal emergency declarations regarding COVID-19 public gatherings or activities; however, our buildings are closed to the general public effective immediately in response to actions taken by the Governor of Texas and recommendations of the CDC for public gatherings. Each Valley should closely monitor local directives from the State and County in which you operate as the governmental orders are varied with different expiration dates across the State.
General: The COVID-19 threat is real and our understanding of the virus is continuing to improve, which has led to significant uncertainty and rapidly changing recommendations from public health authorities. You should closely follow emergency declarations made by the governmental authorities to ensure that we obey those declarations or orders. Please be mindful that we need to take the virus seriously but not panic and follow the recommendations of the CDC as best we can to ensure the safety of our Scottish Rite membership. It is better that we err on the side of caution. Finally, be mindful of our elderly members and offer assistance as appropriate.
MLW 03-23-2020
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