Cass County Judge allows shelter-atplace of residence order to expire

Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks announced her decision to discontinue the Amended Order of Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency on Wednesday, which was scheduled to expire on Thursday, Apr. 30.

The amended order instructed the residents of Cass County to shelter in place.

“At this time, I see no need to continue my Amended Order of Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency, which is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. We Will continue to follow the Governor’s Order(s) as set out and will be more than happy to assist you in interpreting them to the best of our ability.”, Wilbanks posted on Facebook.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced last Monday that his stay-at-home executive order would expire on Apr. 30 and not be renewed. Abbott set forth guidelines to safely reopen businesses.

The reopening will commence in phases. Phase I began on Friday, May 1, and emphasizes protecting vulnerable populations and urges them to stay at home. All retail stores, restaurants, theaters, libraries, museums, and malls may choose to reopen but at no more than 25% occupancy.

“I am very excited, as I am sure you are, about Phase 1 of the Governor’s 3-Phase process to Open Texas. I was hoping his order would be broader and more inclusive of other ‘non-essential’ businesses, but at least we are one step closer to Opening Texas than we were this time last week.”

Texas Health and Human Services published its Minimum Standard Health Protocols for COVID-19 last week to guide the reopening.

Restaurants are instructed to have parties always maintain a distance of at least six feet from other parties, including while waiting to be seated. Additionally, restaurants are instructed to offer hand sanitizing stations upon entry of the restaurant and disposable menus. No more than six people can be seated at a table.

Movie theaters are encouraged to utilize remote ticketing options to help manage capacity limitations and ensure proper spacing between patrons in the movie theater. Two or more members of the same household can sit adjacent to one another with two seats empty on either side. Two individuals who are not members of the same household but who are attending together can sit adjacent to one another with two seats empty on either side. Every other row must be left empty and seats must be disinfected between screenings.

Outdoor sports facilities such as golf courses are instructed to clean and sanitize golf and push-carts between uses, allow no more than one individual per golf cart excepting members of the same household, clean and disinfect driving range golf balls between use, and ensure six feet between golfers on the driving range.

Churches and place of worship are instructed to strongly encourage to its at-risk population to watch or participate in the service remotely, designate an area inside the facility reserved for the at-risk population or offer a service for at-risk population attendees, only, and ensure proper spacing between attendees of at least two empty seats between parties in any row excepting two or more members of the same household which must maintain two seats empty on either side.

Additionally, customers of all establishments during Phase I are asked to self-screen before entry, wash or disinfect hands, and after any interaction with employees, other customers, or within the establishments. Customers should wash or sanitize their hands after the payment process and are advised to consider wearing cloth face coverings over the mouth and nose upon entry.