SE Dallas News

A 3-2 vote was put in on April 21 by Dallas County Commissioners to extend the safer-at-home executive order through Friday, May 15. This keeps the current restrictions in place regarding which businesses will remain closed and how many people can gather in public at once. 

Dozens of demonstrators arranged a protest outside of the building of the County Administration Building at Dealey Plaza during the commissioners' meeting, NBC 5 reported. Critics who were protesting the safer-at-home order were concerned about the loss of jobs and lack of income.

Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Philip Huang recommended extending the order through Sunday, May 31. While May 15 was a compromise, it was noted that the cases of COVID-19 needed to have a downward trend for up to two weeks before the order could even have a consideration of being lifted. 

Commissioners John Wiley Price and J.J. Koch voted no on reopening the county. They believe that there needs to be a better plan to lift the safer-at-home order and the number of positive cases needs to see a downward trend. They want to see a better plan for reopening businesses that have been closed and before jobs can be restored.

"I’m talking about people and survival and so that’s the difference," Price said, reported by NBC 5. "Give them an opportunity to survive."

The county can extend the safer-at-home order depending on how the curve is and if it is preventing the spread. The county also has a disaster declaration that will remain active until Wednesday, May 20.