During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Governor Greg Abbott issued an updated Executive Order that gave Texans new COVID-19 guidelines.

The order says that Texans shall minimize social gatherings and in-person contact until April 30 except when to provide or obtain essential services. It also stated that “Essential services shall consist of everything listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce,” as well as religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship.

The Governor additionally ordered, “In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall remain temporarily closed to in-person classroom attendance and shall not recommence before May 4, 2020.”

The updated order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. April 2, 2020. You can read it in its entirety by clicking here.

Governor Abbott’s update came one day after President Trump extended federal social distancing guidelines until the end of April.

To help you stay informed as this situation evolves, the City of Southlake has created an information page, www.ProtectSouthlake.com, that provides a centralized place for Southlake news and resources. It also contains links to the COVID-19 pages located on county, state, and federal sites.

For mobile phone text message updates from the City, type PROTECTSLK to 888-777. Be sure to follow Mayor Hill’s Facebook page and the City’s Facebook page for the latest City news.

A Stay At Home order has been issued for Tarrant County residents by Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, in effect from 11:59 p.m. today, March 24, until April 7, 2020.

At a Tuesday (3/24) press conference, Judge Whitley announced that he would issue an executive order that requires Tarrant County residents to stay home and leave only for essential travel, to work in essential businesses, and for essential activities. To read the full text of the order click here.

“We are working closely with state and local officials to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus,” said Mayor Laura Hill. “The Governor’s updated executive order and Tarrant County’s updated orders are the tools we need to help protect the public’s health,” she added.

What This Means for Southlake

• Residents are to stay at their place of residence and practice social distancing unless they are leaving for essential activities, or working at essential businesses, essential governmental services, essential critical infrastructure, or to perform minimum basic operations.
• Essential Activities are defined on page three of the order and include activities necessary to get supplies or food for your families or household.
• All businesses except essential businesses, no public occupancy is allowed. Minimum basic operations are permitted with proper social distancing. Pages seven and eight of the order defines the essential businesses.
• Essential businesses are to conduct business with proper social distancing and to provide screening precautions to protect employees.
• Public and private gatherings outside a single household are prohibited.
• Food establishments, including those at schools and hotels, are limited to drive-in, drive-through, take out, and delivery with proper social distancing. No in-house dining is allowed.
• Houses of worship are to remain closed for in-person services. Staff members are allowed in their buildings to produce audio/video services, but social distancing is required.
• Non-essential visitors are prohibited from going to nursing homes, retirement communities, and long-term care facilities unless they are providing critical assistance or for end-of-life visitation.
• Elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures are prohibited.

Mayor Laura Hill’s First Amended Declaration of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency, signed on March 23, states the City will adopt all rules, regulations, and limitations issued by Tarrant County, Denton County, and the State of Texas contained in their executive orders, or disaster declarations. The Council also voted on March 23 to extend the Declaration “based on [the] weekly review conducted by Mayor Hill and City Manager Shana Yelverton” and “until terminated by order of the City Council.”

“The City’s Office of Emergency Management has prepared for this possibility, and now that it’s reality, the City will move forward on supporting the order,” said Assistant City Manager Alison Ortowski.

Stay informed.  www.ProtectSouthlake.com is the City’s information page that provides a centralized place for the City’s COVID-19 latest news and resources. It also contains links to county, state, and federal sites. You can also text PROTECTSLK to 888-777 for text message updates and be sure to follow the City’s social media to stay connected with us and with each other.