DALLAS – A shelter-at-home order has taken effect in Dallas County in an effort to combat COVID-19. The order, which as for now lasts until April 3, applies to anyone who lives or works within the county.
"This order is our best chance to flatten the curve in Dallas County and save as many lives as possible," Jenkins said. "I know there will be economic hardship and business closures with this order, and it makes me sick we are at this point."
The order states, "all individuals currently living within Dallas County are ordered to shelter at their place of residence unless doing an essential activity (going to the grocery store or getting other necessary supplies, exercising while complying with social distancing, going to work, or caring for another family member or pet). ... All businesses operating within Dallas County, except Essential Businesses...are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the county. All essential businesses must also comply with social distancing to the greatest extent possible."
A number of shelter-in-place orders have expanded across Texas in effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Greg Abbot said Texans need to abide by his executive orders by the weekend. The mayors of San Antonio, Waco, Boerne, College Station, Austin and Lubbock were among those this week who also issued disaster declarations, telling people to stay home and shut down non-essential businesses in order to allow emergency services to focus on treating COVID-19 patients.
The state’s official count is 2,552 infected and 34 dead as of March 29. The Texas Hospital Association wrote Abbott in response to those numbers and statistical forecasting, calling on communities to shelter in place.
“Given the projections and gravity of the situation, Texas hospitals want to share our firm position in support of strong shelter-in-place provisions to protect our health care workers and the community,” Ted Shaw, the president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association, wrote.
More cities are expected to issue similar orders as the pandemic grows.
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