Abbott restricts entry at Louisiana border

Gov. Greg Abbott imposed restrictions on travel from Louisiana on Sunday, an increasingly growing hot spot for coronavirus in the U.S. The order does not apply to travel related to commercial activity, military service, emergency response, health response, or critical infrastructure functions. Cass County confirms its second case of Coronavirus.

As Shreveport and other areas across Louisiana continue to see an increase in cases, Abbott said Sunday that state troopers will begin patrolling highway entry points at the border and require “everyone stopped” in those cars to also self-isolate. Abbott’s order requires drivers to fill out a form listing where they will quarantine in Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Safety will enforce those travel restrictions at and near entry points from Louisiana. The restrictions do not apply to travel related to commercial activities, military service, emergency response, health response or critical infrastructure functions.

As of Sunday, there are least 2,552 coronavirus cases in Texas, including 34 deaths, according to the latest figures from Texas Department of State Health Services. 118 counties are reporting cases. There have been 25,483 tests done in the state, according to the DSHS numbers.

Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks announced on Friday that the Texas State Department of Health Services shared information that a presumed case of COVID-19 was now the second confirmed case in the county.

“However, the good news is that those two cases have been quarantined inside a hospital and at home. And as of midnight tonight (Saturday), they will no longer be an infectious threat to the community. Also, the people whom they had contact with before they were tested have either tested negative for COVID-19 or have been self-quarantined and have exhibited no symptoms o the disease,” Wilbanks stated.

Government leaders in Bowie County, Texas are ordering a mandatory shelter in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. The order was not issued in neighboring Miller County.

There are now three positive cases in Bowie County and none in Miller County Arkansas. In Bowie County, the shelter in place order went into effect just before midnight on Friday and will continue through April 13th. Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell issued a “shelter in place” order at a press conference from the Joint Command Center Friday morning.

Bowie and Miller County continue to ask citizens to stay at home if possible, practice social distancing and use common sense with washing hands and other hygiene practices.

Howell stated that the order is being issued in response to “overwhelming scientific evidence” and the announcement that there are no three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bowie Count and two more in Cass County.

Abbott continues to resist calls to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order. Asked Sunday about the possbility of further statewide action, Abbott said he was waiting to see new federal guidance that is expected to be issued this week.

President Donald Trump announced that national social distancing guidelines would extend through April 30. On Sunday, Trump said he would extend nationwide social distancing guidelines for another 3 days.

COVID-19 Updates:

• Gov. Abbott restricts entry to Texas from Louisiana

• Cass County confirms its second case

• Bowie County issues mandatory shelter-in-place order