Coronavirus In Texas: Dallas Co. Extends Shelter-At-Home Order Until April 30
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas County Commissioners have extended the disaster declaration to May 20, and Judge Clay Jenkins said the shelter-at-home order is extended until April 30 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Friday morning, commissioners voted 4-1 to extend the declaration. All businesses not deemed "essential" will remain closed also.
John Wiley Price however, voted against the extension, saying he has "real trepidation about this journey for 60 days," citing concern for Southern Dallas residents and small business owners. "This will decimate my community," Price said, regarding the continuation of business closures.
Price wasn't the only leader to push back on the extension at the commissioner's special called meeting, many said economic pain of the extended order proposal may hurt people too much.
Dallas County first implemented the order after local health officials started confirming COVID-19 cases among residents.
Dallas area school districts have remained closed since mid-March.
When the order was first announced, Judge Clay Jenkins said, "Restrictions on day-to-day life are likely to last for some time... months, unfortunately. This order is our best chance to flatten the curve here in Dallas County and save as many lives as possible," he said. "I know there will be economic hardships with this. It makes me sick that we are at this point."
For the purposes of the order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rentals and similar facilities. People who leave their homes should only do so to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses.
All non-essential businesses operating within Dallas County are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the county. However, businesses can continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors working from home.
All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited. But nothing in the order prohibits the gathering of members of a household.
Restaurants, microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries still may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services.
Religious and worship services may only be provided by video and teleconference. Religious institutions must limit in-person staff to 10 people or less when preparing for or conducting video or teleconference services, and all individuals must follow the social distancing guidelines.
All elective medical, surgical and dental procedures are prohibited anywhere in Dallas County.
Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dental offices and other medical facilities are directed to identify procedures that are deemed "elective" by assessing which procedures can be postponed or cancelled based on patient risk.
For purposes of this order, the following are deemed essential activities:
- To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety,
or to the health and safety of their family or household members (for example, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies need to work from home). - To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others (for example, food, pet supply, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
- To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet (for example, walking, biking, hiking, or running).
- To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this order.
- To care for a family member or pet in another household.
For purposes of this order, "essential businesses" mean:
- Essential Healthcare Operations
- Healthcare operations, including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, mental health providers, substance abuse service providers, blood banks, medical research, laboratory services, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. Home-based and residential-based care for seniors, adults, or children are also considered healthcare operations. Healthcare operations also includes veterinary care and all health and welfare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be viewed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare. Healthcare operations do not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities. Healthcare operations do not include elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures as established in accordance with Subsection 1(g) of this order.
- Essential Government Functions
- All services provided by local governments needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public. Further, nothing in this order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing "Essential Government Functions." All Essential Government Functions shall be performed in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet, to the extent possible.
- Essential Critical Infrastructure
- Work necessary to the operations and maintenance of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors as identified by the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) including public works construction, residential and commercial construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), financial institutions, defense and national security-related operations, essential manufacturing operations provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet, to the extent possible. Essential Businesses providing essential infrastructure should implement screening precautions to protect employees and all activity shall be performed in compliance with social distancing guidelines attached.
- Essential Retail
- Food service providers, including grocery stores, warehouse stores, big-box stores, bodegas, liquor stores, gas stations and convenience stores, farmers' markets that sell food products and household staples. Food cultivation, including farming, fishing, and livestock. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free services to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only. The restriction of delivery or carry out does not apply to cafes and restaurants located within hospital and medical facilities. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers. Gas stations, auto-supply, auto and bicycle repair, hardware stores, and related facilities. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home.
- Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations
- Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals.
- Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses
- Trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal, mail and shipping services, building cleaning and maintenance, warehouse/distribution and fulfillment, storage for essential businesses, funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences and Essential Businesses. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support of supplies needed to operate.
- News Media
- Newspapers, television, radio and other media services.
- Childcare Services
- Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this order to work as permitted.