Coronavirus Information

Effective statewide on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered (GA 34) that there are no operating limits for any business or other establishment and no person is required to wear a face covering.

Individuals are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Mask wearing continues to be mandated in airports, on flights, on federal property, and on public transit including buses, trains, and taxis. Businesses and establishments may enforce mask-wearing and other safety measures to remain on their premises. 

In areas where the percentage of COVID-19 hospitalized patients is 15% or more of total hospitalized patients for at least seven consecutive days is designated an "area with high hospitalizations" and is subject to COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Dallas County, which includes Irving, is not currently designated an "area with high hospitalizations."

Summary of Executive Order GA 34 of Texas Governor Greg Abbott

• In all counties not in an "area of high hospitalizations"
  • There are no operating limits for any business or other establishment
  • Individuals are encouraged to wear face-covering and socially distance but are not required to do so
• "Areas with high hospitalizations" are defined as any Trauma Service Area that has had a total hospital capacity of COVID-19 patients exceeding 15% of total hospital capacity for seven consecutive days
• In "areas with high hospitalizations" 
  • There are no state-imposed requirements to wear a face-covering
  • There are no state-imposed operating limits for any business or establishment
  • The county may use COVID-19 mitigation strategies with the following limitations
    • Businesses and other establishments may operate at no less than 50% capacity (religious services, schools and childcare are not subject to operating capacities) 
    • Jail may not be used as a penalty
    • There is no penalty of any kind for failure to use face coverings unless the business or other establishment requires it. In those situations, they may enforce trespassing laws. 
• Businesses and other establishments may enforce employees and customers to follow additional hygiene measures including face-covering
• Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long term care facilities should follow guidance from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
• Public schools may operate under the minimum standard health protocols issued by the Texas Education Agency and private schools and institutions of higher education are encouraged to establish similar standards
• County and municipal jails should follow guidance from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards regarding visitations 
• Confinement in jail is not an available penalty for violating a COVID-19 related order

You can register for the vaccine in Dallas County here, a full list of mass vaccination hubs located around Texas (with registration links) can be found here, and a map of vaccine providers can be found here. Currently, vaccines are being distributed to groups 1A,1B, and 1C, and effective March 29th, all adults in Texas will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Criteria for those groups, according to Texas Health and Human Services are listed below.
 

Phase 1A 

• Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities

Phase 1B

• People 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID‑19 illness, including but not limited to:
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
  • Organ transplantation
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a more complete list of health conditions that do or may increase the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, according to the latest scientific research. People with medical conditions listed there qualify for vaccination in Texas. Other conditions may increase the risk from COVID-19. Talk to your health care provider for more information.

Phase 1C 

• People 50 to 64 years of age
• With the federal directive, the following education and child care personnel are now eligible to be vaccinated in Texas:
  • Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools;
  • Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers); and
  • Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.

Broad Distribution

• Beginning Monday, March 29th, all adults in Texas will be eligible to receive a vaccine. 

Dallas County COVID-19 Related Health Guidance for the Public

Assume Personal Responsibility: Public health guidance cannot anticipate every unique situation. Residents should take responsibility, stay informed, take actions based on common sense, and follow the guidance offered by health care experts.

Do an Honest Self-Assessment: All individuals are encouraged to perform an honest self-assessment before engaging in activities outside of the home. This assessment should include asking two questions and if the answer to either of these questions is yes, then exercise extra caution and discretion before leaving the home:

• Am I healthy enough to leave the home, or do I fall into a high-risk category, based on age or other medical conditions?
• Is there someone in my home, or someone I interact with on a regular basis, who falls into a high-risk category?

Perform Protective Hygiene, Distance Yourself Physically and Clean the Environment: Dallas County (including Irving) residents and visitors should practice good hygiene and cleaning practices to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus.These include:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer after interactions with people or objects
• Stay home if ill
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or do it into the sleeve or elbow, not hands
• Clean high-touch surfaces (buttons, door handles, counters, etc.) regularly
• Avoid touching your face
• Refrain from hand shaking
• Physically distance and keep six feet between people
• Wear a facial covering when out in public or when in the company of others.

Assess the Risk: Individuals should assess their risk and make decisions based on their specific circumstances. Those at high risk for COVID-19 (elderly, diabetic, etc.) and those around them should use extra precautions as outlined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS).

Effective August 4, 2020 and continuing concurrently with the Governor Abbott’s disaster proclamation unless rescinded, suspended, or amended, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins ordered the following continuing requirements after the expiration of stay home, stay safe.

Summary of Continuing Requirements Order of Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins

• All Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Recovery Payments to individuals shall be exempt from garnishment as described in Chapter 63 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, except for garnishment for child support payments when deposited into an account in a financial institution. This is to ensure Dallas County residents can use these funds for housing, food, medical and other essential needs.
• Employers may not require a negative COVID-19 test or note from a healthcare provider before a COVID-19 recovered employee can return to work. This does not apply to hospitals or healthcare workers.
• No person can charge more than the regular retail price charged on March 16, 2020 for:
  • Groceries, beverages, toilet articles, and ice
  • Restaurant, cafeteria, and boarding-house meals
  • Medicine, and pharmaceutical, medical equipment and supplies 
• If someone in a household has tested positive for Coronavirus, the household is ordered to isolate at home and may not go to work, school, or any other community function. Workers included in Essential Healthcare Operations may continue to work in accordance with CDC guidance
• Nursing homes, retirement, and long-term care facilities are instructed to prohibit non-essential visitors from accessing their facilities except to provide critical assistance or for end-of-life visitation.
• Public and private  schools and institutions of higher education must provide a safety plan to the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security  and Emergency Management 72 hours before students return to a classroom setting.
• The Dallas County Sheriff's Office, the Dallas County Fire Marshal's Office, and other peace officers are authorized to enforce this order through criminal or civil enforcement. Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000. 

Executive Order (GA 34) Reopening of Texas - Governor Greg Abbott
Order: Continuance of Declaration of Local Disaster: Dallas County - Judge Clay Jenkins
State of Disaster Proclamation - COVID-19: Texas - Governor Greg Abbott
Local Disaster For Public Health Emergency: Irving - Mayor Rick Stopher

SUMMARY OF CORONAVIRUS CASES IN NORTH TEXAS

• Map of Coronavirus cases in Dallas County
• Dallas County COVID-19 Statistics
• Tarrant County COVID-19 Statistics
• Denton County COVID-19 Statistics
• Collin County COVID-19 Statistics

A comprehensive list of testing locations can be found here. All of the locations above are also offering free flu shots. 

North Texas Support Line
The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority launched a dedicated COVID-19 mental health support line to provide trauma informed support and psychological first aid to those experiencing stress and anxiety. It is normal to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during times of public crisis. This dedicated line will provide relief to their traditional crisis line while providing the necessary support within our community as we work through this specific crisis. The NTBHA COVID-19 Mental Health Support line is available 24/7 and can be reached at 833-251-7544. 

Statewide Support Line
Texas Health and Human Services also provides COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. Operated by the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, the support line offers trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to those experiencing stress and anxiety related to COVID-19. Counseling services are confidential and free of charge to people who call the hotline. The toll-free support line is available 24/7 and can be reached 833-986-1919.

While our staff will not be in the office physically, they can all be reached via phone and email. A full listing of staff contact information can be found on the following pages:

Visit Irving Staff 
Irving Convention Center Staff
General Email Inquiries: info@irvingtexas.com
General Phone Inquiries: 972-252-7476
Website Contact Form

• Johns Hopkins: COVID-19 Interactive Visual Map
• Ready.gov
• Dallas County Public Health 
• City of Irving Coronavirus Information
• Dallas County Coronavirus Information
• Dallas County Halloween Guidance 
• City of Dallas Coronavirus Information
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• World Health Organization 
• CNN Local Coronavirus Resources
• The latest updates from the WHO on the virus.
• WHO’s recommendations for the public to reduce exposure
• WHO's rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Texas Health and Human Services (211 Texas: Non-medical COVID-19 questions): Type COVID-19 in the Find Help Search Box