Coronavirus Information

Summary of Executive Order GA 32 of Texas Governor Greg Abbott

• Every business establishment in Texas shall operate at no more than 75% of the total listed occupancy of the establishment.
• There are no occupancy limits for the following:
  • Services listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
  • Religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship
  • Local government operations, including county and municipal governmental operations relating to licensing, permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, as determined by the local government
  • Child-care services
  • Youth camps including summer camps and other daytime and overnight camps for youths
  • Recreational sports programs
  • Any public or private schools, and any public or private institutions of higher education
  • Drive-in concerts, movies, or similar events, under guidelines that facilitate social distancing and generally require spectators to remain in their vehicles
  • Provided there is at least six feet of social distancing: cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons/shops, hair salons, barber shops, nail salon shops, massage therapists, tanning salons, tattoo studios, hair removal services, and hair loss treatment and growth services
• "Areas with high hospitalizations" may only operated up to 50% 
• "Areas with high hospitalizations" means any Trauma Service Area which has had seven consecutive days in which more than 15% of the total percentage of hospitalized patients are COVID-19 patients
• There is no occupancy limit for outdoor areas, events, and establishments, with the exception of the following, which are limited to 75%
  • Amusement parks, water parks, and swimming pools
  • Museums, libraries, zoos, aquariums, natural caverns, and similar facilities
• Indoor and outdoor professional, collegiate, and similar sporting events including rodeos and equestrian events shall remain at 50%
• For any outdoor gatherings in excess of 10 people including rafting, tubing, and related service that are not listed above are limited to 50% unless authorized by local authorities
• Restaurants with less than 51% of receipts from the sale of alcohol, and whose customers eat or drink only while seated, may offer dine-in services
• Bars with TABC permits, which are not restaurants as defined in the bullet above may operate at 50% if the bar is not in an area with high hospitalizations and the judge of the county has filed the requisite form with TABC. The counties where bars are permitted to open at 50% will be listed on the TABC website
  • Bar patrons may eat and drink only while seated
  • Patrons of breweries, distilleries, and wineries may sample beverages while standing if they're in a group of six or fewer and are socially distanced from other groups
  • The 50% occupancy only applies indoors, there is not occupancy limit for outdoor areas, events, or establishments as long as patrons are socially distanced
  • All bars may offer drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks as allowed by TABC
• Facilities with retractable roofs are considered indoor facilities whether the roof is opened or closed
• People shall not gather in groups larger than 10 and shall remain six feet of social distancing from those not in their group
• People over 65 are encouraged to stay home as much as possible, maintain distance from household members who have been out of the residence in the previous 14 days, and implement social distancing when leaving the home
• Every person should use good-faith efforts and available resources to follow the minimum standard health protocols recommended by the DSHS
• People may visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities as determined through guidance from Texas Health and Human Services commission (HHSC)
• Public schools may operate as provided by, and under the minimum standard health protocols found in, guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Private schools and institutions of higher education are encouraged to establish similar standards.
• All existing executive orders are amended to eliminate confinement in jail as a penalty for violating the executive orders

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).

Exceptions to the Face-Covering Requirement

• Any person younger than 10 years of age
• Any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering 
• While consuming food or drink or seated at a restaurant
• While exercising or engaging in physical activity outdoors and maintaining safe distance from others (not in the same household)
• When driving along or with passengers in the same household
• When obtaining services that require temporary removal of face coverings for security surveillance, screening, or a need for specific access to the face. 
• While swimming in a pool, lake or similar body of water
• While voting, assisting a voter, serving as a poll watcher, or actively administering an election - however, wearing a face mask is strongly encouraged
• While providing or obtaining access to religious worship - however, wearing a face mask is strongly encouraged
• While giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience

Summary of Supplemental Order of Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins

Health and Safety Policy - Commercial Entities

• All commercial entities in Dallas County provided goods or services directly to the public must develop and implement a Health and Safety Policy.
• At a minimum, the health and safety policy must require all employees and visitors to the business to wear face coverings when six feet of separation is not possible.
• The Health and Safety Policy must be posted in a conspicuous location sufficient to provide notice to employees and visitors of health and safety requirements.
• Failure to develop and implement the Health and Safety Policy may result in a fine not to exceed $500 

Face Coverings - General Public

• All people 10 years or older shall wear a face covering when in a public place where it is difficult to keep six feet away from other people.
• The CDC advises face coverings for people two years or older.
• Dallas County residents should maintain social distancing of a least six feet while outside their home.
• It is strongly recommended that you do not obtain medical masks or N-95 respirators as they are needed for health care workers and first responders
• Face covering do not need to be worn in the following circumstances:
  • When exercising outside or engaging in physical activity outside
  • While driving along or with passengers who are part of the  same household as the driver
  • When pumping gas or operating outdoor equipment
  • While in a building or activity that requires security surveillance or screening such as a bank
  • When consuming food or drink
• Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing, frequent hand washing, and self-isolation when sick. 
• All people should follow CDC recommendations for how to wear and take off a mask.
• Residents should keep up the following habits while in public:
  • Wash hands before you leave home and when you return
  • Stay at least six feet away from others
  • Avoid touching your nose or face
  • Don't use disposable masks more than three times and wash reusable cloth masks regularly
• Consistent with the Governor's Executive Order GA-29, first-time violations of the order may result in a verbal or written warning and a second violation may result in a fine not to exceed $250

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.