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Coronavirus Information


Visit Irving, Texas is closely monitoring the international outbreak COVID-19, and we are diligently working with Texas Department of State Health Services and Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS), as well as the U.S. Travel Association, Destinations International and the International Association of Venue Managers to stay abreast of the news, protocol and to share the latest updates.
 

Community Support Resources
Resources for Small Businesses
Traveler and Hospitality Resources
Eat Locally While Distancing Socially
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Coronavirus Cases In The United States
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:

Where Can I Get a COVID Test to Travel?

A:

Water Street located at 5270 North O’Conner Blvd: Schedule an appointment here.

  • Results take 24 hours
  • You must have a U.S. phone number to receive test results.
     

CVS located at 5500 North MacArthur Blvd: Schedule an appointment by clicking “Schedule a visit” at location #1.

  • PCR/NAAT tests
  • Rapid-results tests (1-2 days)
  • Fit-to-fly travel certificate is available with test

 

Walgreens located at 5310 N MacArthur Blvd: Schedule an appointment here.

  • PCR test (1-2 days)
  • BinaxNow rapid antigen test
  • ID NOW rapid diagnostic test (less than 24 hours) - valid for Hawaii and some international destinations
  • Free drive-thru testing
  • Does not prove an official fit-to-fly certificate, but an email result of the test, which may not be valid for all destinations
     

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport located at Terminal D (three locations): Schedule an appointment here.

  • Rapid results within 60 minutes
  • Digital results certification for international travelers

 

ARCpoint Labs of Irving located at 8925 Sterling St. Ste. 255: Schedule an appointment here or call +1 469-209-7400

  • Rapid Results
  • Approved for most international travel
  • Provides on-site rapid testing for groups up to 20. Contact Kannon Callis at +1 469-242-6393 or email k.callis@arcpointlabs.com for pricing and to schedule testing.
     

More information about testing requirements for travel and where to get tested can be found here.
 

Traveling/Returning to Canada:

  • Travelers to Canada must provide a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your direct flight to Canada regardless of vaccination status.
  • Foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative COVID test to enter Canada
  • Antigen tests are not an accepted test type.
  • Information about entering Cansada including a list of acceptable tests, who is eligible to enter, and how to provide proof of test results can be found here.
Q:

Order of County Judge Clay Jenkins on Required Use of a Face Mask in Certain Public Spaces

A:

Effective August 11, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins ordered the Required Use of a Face Mask in Certain Public Space. The order covers child care centers, pre-K to grade 12 public schools, commercial entities (businesses) providing goods or services directly to the public, and buildings or offices owned or operated by Dallas County. Irving is located in Dallas County. A FAQ sheet from the Dallas County Office of the County Judge can be found here.


Summary of Dallas County Order of County Judge Clay Jenkins on Required Use of a Face Mask in Certain Public Space

  • Pre-K through 12 Public Schools and Child Care Centers
    • All child care centers and Pre-K through 12 Public Schools operating in Dallas County must develop and implement a health and safety policy.
    • At a minimum, universal indoor masking for teachers, staff, students and visitors is required regardless of vaccination status except for children under 2 years of age.
    • The health and safety policy may also include additional mitigating measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
       
  • Dallas County Health Authority Order
    • ​The requirements of the Health Authority Order issued by the Local Health Authority for Dallas County and City of Dallas imposing requirements on all public schools from Pre-K through Grade 12 are effective throughout Dallas County.
       
  • Institutions of Higher Education
    • ​All public institutions of higher education in Dallas County must implement a health and safety policy.
    • At a minimum, universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors is required regardless of vaccination status with the exception of children under 2 years of age. 
    • The health and safety policy may include other mitigating measures recommended by the CDC to control and reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
       
  • Commercial Entities (businesses)
    • All commercial entities providing goods or services directly to the public must develop and implement a health and safety policy.
    • At a minimum, universal indoor masking for all employees and visitors is required.
    • The health and safety policy may also include additional mitigating measures, such as temperature checks and health screenings, to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
    • The health and safety policy must be posted in a conspicuous place so that all employees and visitors are aware of the health and safety requirements.
    • The health and safety policy must be developed within three calendar days following the effective date of the order.
    • Failure to meet the requirements can result in fines up to $1,000 per violation for the business.
       
  • County Buildings
    • ​Regardless of vaccination status, all employees, contractors, and visitors are required to wear a face mask when on the premises of a building or office owned or operated by Dallas County.
       
  • Face Covering Strongly Urged - General Public
    • ​It is strongly urged that all people 2 years or older wear a face mask when in a public indoor space. 
    • No civil or criminal penalty will be imposed on individuals for failure to wear a face mask. 
       
  • Severability
    • ​The sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases in the Order are severable. If any part of this order is declared invalid by a court judgment, it will not affect the remaining parts in the Order.
Q:

Does the Irving Convention Center require face masks?

A:

No, the Irving Convention Center is exempt from the Dallas County Order. 

Q:

Order Relating to the State's Continued Response to the COVID-19 Disaster (GA38)

A:

Effective statewide Thursday July 29, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered (GA 38) that all hospitals submit daily reports of bed capacity to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DHSC). Every public and private entity that utilizing an FDA-approved COVID-19 test shall submit daily results to DHSC.

All vaccines continue to be voluntary for all Texans and Texans’ private health information is protected against compelled disclosure.


Summary of Executive Order GA 38 of Texas Governor Greg Abbott

  • All hospitals licensed under the Texas Health and Safety Code and all Texas state-run hospitals shall submit bed capacity to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DHSC), which will be shared with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Every public or private entity that utilizes an FDA-approved COVID-19 test shall submit the results to the DHSC, which will be shared with the CDC
     
  • Vaccines continue to be voluntary for all Texans and Texans are protected against compelled disclosure.
    • No government entity can compel an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine administered under emergency use authorization.
    • State agencies and political subdivisions shall not adopt or enforce any measures that require documentation regarding an individual’s vaccination status as a condition of receiving any service or entering any place.
    • Public and private entities that receive any public funds shall not require documentation regarding an individual’s vaccination status as a condition of receiving any service or entering any place.
    • Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities and long-term care facilities are not limited from requiring documentation of a residents vaccination status.
       
  • To ensure the ability of Texans to preserve livelihoods while protecting lives, the following requirements apply:
    • There are no COVID-19 operating limits for any business or other establishment.
    • In areas where COVID-19 transmission rates are high, individuals are encouraged to wear a mask and socially distance, but not person is required to do so.
    • Every person is encouraged to us good-faith efforts to follow the DSHS health recommendations.
    • Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities and long-term care facilities should follow guidance from Texas Health and Human Services Commission including infection control policies and limiting movement of staff between facilities.
    • Public schools may operate under the minimum standard health protocols issued by the Texas Education Agency. Private schools and institutions of higher education are encouraged to follow similar standards.
    • County and municipal jails should follow guidance from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards regarding visitations.
    • Businesses and legal proceedings are free to proceed without COVID-19 related limitations imposed by local governments.
       
  • To further ensure that no governmental entity can mandate masks, the following requirements apply:
    • No governmental entity may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate another person wear a face mask except
      • State supported living centers, government-owned hospitals, and government-operated hospitals.
      • The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and any county and municipal jails.
Q:

What is Dallas County's COVID-19 risk level?

A:
Dallas County COVID Risk Level

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 handshaking
  • 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).

Q:

How can we contact Visit Irving?

A:

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

Q:

What additional resources are there for COVID-19 information?

A:

 

CDC COVID-19 Information