Friday, March 27th, Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell ordered a shelter in place for the county, and that, of course, includes Texarkana, Texas. We have the complete list of restrictions and explanation to follow:
FIRST AMENDED RENEWAL AND CONTINUATION OF DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY FOR BOWIE COUNTY, TEXAS
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, I, Bobby L. Howell, as County Judge of Bowie County, Texas, issued a Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency for Bowie County, Texas (the “Declaration”), resulting from the global pandemic of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the conditions necessitating the aforesaid Declaration continue to exist; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code $418.108(b), the Commissioners Court of Bowie County, Texas (the “County’), on March 23, 2020, enacted the renewal and continuation of the Declaration; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the consent granted by the Commissions Court of Bowie County, Texas, on March 23, 2020, I, Bobby L. Howell, as County Judge of the County of Bowie, Texas, issued a renewal and continuation of the aforesaid Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency for Bowie County, Texas; and
WHEREAS, since March 23, 2020, additional persons in Bowie County, neighboring counties, and neighboring states have tested positive for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, in his March 22, 2020, press conference, the Governor of the State of Texas acknowledged that counties and cities may need to enact more stringent measures to address this public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, because of the risk of the rapid spread of the virus, the need to protect the most vulnerable members of the community, the intent to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, and the desire to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible, this First Amended Renewal and Continuation of the Declaration of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency for Bowie County, Texas; and
WHEREAS, this Order is issued based on evidence of increasing occurrences of COVID-19 within the County and throughout the Northeast Texas area, scientific evidence and best practices regarding the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable diseases generally and COVID-19 specifically, and evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for sene complications, including death, from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, making the problem worse, some individuals who contract COVID symptoms or have mild symptoms, which means they may not be aware they carry the virus, and
WHEREAS, because even people without symptoms can transmit the disease, and because evidence shows the disease is easily spread, gatherings can result in preventable transmission of COVID-19; and,
WHEREAS, the scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the emergency, it is essential to slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed; and,
WHEREAS, one proven way to slow the transmission of COVID-19 is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable; and,
WHEREAS, by reducing the spread of COVID-19, this Order helps preserve critical and limited healthcare capacity in the County;
THEREFORE, Be It Proclaimed by The County Judge of Bowie County that:
1. The Declaration of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency issued for Bowie County, Texas, on March 18, 2020, pursuant to $418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code is hereby renewed and continued.
2. This Declaration shall continue in effect until the Bowie County Commissioners Court terminates its consent to the continuation of this Declaration or until this Declaration is terminated by order of the County Judge, whichever occurs first.
3. Pursuant to $418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this renewal and continuation of the Declaration issued on March 18, 2020, shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
4. Pursuant to $418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this renewal and continuation of the aforesaid Declaration continues to activate the Bowie County Emergency Management Plan.
5. Pursuant to the continuation of the Declaration on March 23, 2020, the County Judge is authorized, without further action of the Commissioners Court, to exercise any powers, take any actions and issue any orders authorized by law, including but not limited to, any measures authorized by Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, including without limitation $418.108 and $418.1015 of said chapter.
6. All officers and employees of the County, including without limitation all la enforcement officers employed by the County and all emergency medical personnel employed by the County, are hereby authorized and directed to continue to cooperate to the fullest extent allowed by law with the health authority designated by the County pursuant to Chapter 121 of the Texas Health and Safety Code to enforce any and all communicable disease control measures imposed by said health authority pursuant to Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code or other applicable law.
7. All individuals currently living within Bowie County, Texas (the “County”) are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times, as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, all as defined in Section 11. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable and to utilize Social Distancing Requirements in their operation).
8. All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses as defined below in Section 11, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations, as defined in Section 11. For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open; however, even Essential Businesses are encouraged to determine essential staff necessary to operate and to send non-essential staff home. To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 11 below, including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line.
9. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes as expressly permitted in Section 11. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
10. All travel, except Essential Travel and Essential Activities as defined below in Section 11, is prohibited. People must use public transit only for purposes of performing Essential Activities or to travel to and from work to operate Essential Businesses or maintain Essential Governmental Functions. People riding on public transit must comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 11 below, to the greatest extent feasible. This Order allows travel into or out of the County to perform Essential Activities, operate Essential Businesses, or maintain Essential Governmental Functions.
11. Definitions and Exemptions:
A. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities”:
i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety or to the health and safety of their family or household members including, but not limited to, pets, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home;
ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. To engage in outdoor activity, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, running or riding a bicycle. Except for members of a residence who are sheltering together, the individuals shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section;
iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations; and
v. To care for a family member or pet in another household. But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care.
B. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any “Healthcare Operations” including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. “Healthcare Operations” does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities.
C. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” which is defined as the 16 critical infrastructure sectors as identified by the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), including, but not limited to, construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), financial institutions, defense and national security-related operations, and essential manufacturing operations, provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible.
D. For purposes of this Order, all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, and others who need to perform essential services are categorically exempt from this Order. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing “Essential Governmental Function.” as determined by the governmental entity performing those functions. Each governmental entity shall identify and designate appropriate employees or contractors to continue providing and carrying out any Essential Governmental Functions. All Essential Governmental Functions shall be performed in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible.
E. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, nonprofit, or educational entities, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure.
F. For the purpose of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:
i. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
ii. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products), and liquor stores. This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
iv. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
v. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
vi. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
vii. Banks and related financial institutions;
viii. Hardware and construction supply stores;
ix. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
x. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
xi. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
xii. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up or take-away basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
xiii. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
xiv. Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
xv. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
xvi. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
xvii. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
xviii. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
xix. Professional services: legal, accounting, insurance, real estate services (including appraisal, survey, and title services);
xx. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this
Order to work as permitted;
xxi. Utilities, telecommunications, trash collection and disposal, law enforcement, EMS/ambulance, corrections, dispatch, animal shelters, governmental employees who have not been specifically deemed nonessential and sent home by the government entity;
xxii. Janitorial and maintenance services, funeral industry, defense industry, space, and technology industry, technology support, and scientific research;
and
xxiii. Religious services provided in residences, Healthcare Operations, at funerals, or provided online while being broadcast from a religious facility.
G. For the purposes of this Order, “Minimum Basic Operations” include the following, provided that employees comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible, while carrying out such operations;
i. The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions, and
ii. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.
H. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Travel” includes travel for any of the following purposes:
i. Any travel related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses, or Minimum Basic Operations;
ii. Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;
iii. Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services;
iv. Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction;
v. Travel required by law enforcement or court order; or
vi. Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the County. Individuals are strongly encouraged to verify that their transportation out of the County remains available and functional prior to commencing such travel.
Individuals engaged in any Essential Travel must comply with all Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section.
I. For purposes of this Order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units, and similar facilities.
J. For purposes of this Order, “Social Distancing Requirements” includes maintaining at lease six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.
12. Non-essential businesses shall shut down except for maintaining Minimum Basic Operations as defined herein. Essential Businesses exempted from shut-down are encouraged to determine staff who are essential to operations and to send non-essential staff home.
13. When people need to leave their places of residence, whether to obtain or perform vital services or to otherwise facilitate authorized activities necessary for continuity of social and commercial life, they should at all times reasonably possible comply with social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 11 above.
14. Sections 7 through 13 in this Order shall become effective at 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020, and shall continue in effect until 12:00 a.m. on April 13, 2020.
15. All provisions of this Order should be interpreted to effectuate its intent.
16. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health.
17. In accordance with Texas Government Code $418.173, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this Order commits an offense punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 and/or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days, and each day or portion of a day that such a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
18. The County shall promptly provide copies of this Order by posting it on the County website. In addition, the owner, manager, or operator of any facility that is likely to be impacted by this Order is strongly encouraged to post a copy of this Order onsite and to provide a copy to any member of the public asking for a copy.
19. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order.
ORDERED this the 27th day of March 2020, at/) :/ a.m.
BOBBY L. HOWELL BOWIE COUNTY JUDGE
Joint Operations Center
Bowie County/Miller County/Cass County/Cities of Texarkana, AR & TX
MEDIA UPDATE
3/27/20 at 11:00 AM
TEXARKANA, USA— A press conference was held today, March 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Texarkana, Texas Convention Center to provide an update on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) public health crisis.
(Bowie Count Shelter-in-Place order is attached. A word document will be forthcoming for copy and paste purposes. Please refer to www.coronatxk.org for a list of Essential Businesses and Services.)
The following is not a transcript, but a collection of prepared statements:
Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison—
“Currently, I do not feel it is necessary to implement a stay at home order or curfew for Miller County. I have received NO complaints from the Sheriff’s Office or Mayors of Miller County, however, I fully support and appreciate Mayor Allen Brown’s curfew that he put in place Wednesday, realizing the burden this could place on the city of Texarkana Ar. and Miller County as a whole if he had not. As of today, there are No positive cases of the COVID-19 virus in MC, if that changes the citizens of Miller County will be informed immediately.
Arkansas Governor Hutchinson is doing an outstanding job leading Arkansas through this pandemic and I will continue to follow his guidance. The Governor has kept the numbers relatively low in Arkansas, especially compared to our neighboring states. This situation changes hourly and we are re-evaluating hourly. I thank Judge Howell for his leadership, because it not only protects Bowie County, but also protects Miller County.
I again, want to thank Miller County OEM Director Joe Bennett for the countless hours he has spent, not only staying informed on what’s going on in our area with COVID-19 virus, but also keeping up with all the other emergencies that have come up over the last week. Miller County is better for having him.
The JDC is closed to outside visitors; however, the juveniles can FaceTime with their legal guardians. This is for their protection as well as the staffs.
Currently the Miller county courthouses is still open. However, we do ask, if you have any symptoms of the virus or are not feeling well, please stay home and call or email the office you need to visit.
I thank the citizens of Miller County that have stepped up in taking care of our elderly. There are several groups throughout the county that are working to ensure that our senior citizens are taken care of. If anyone in the county needs supplies or assistance, please feel free to call Clayton Green with our local Volunteer Fire Departments at 870-648-0310. They are taking donations for this purpose.
I want to thank Doctor Matt Young for the guidance, knowledge and leadership that he has given me throughout the last couple of weeks. It is very much appreciated. Thank you.”
Texarkana, Arkansas Mayor Allen Brown—
“First of all, we want to thank the citizens of Texarkana Arkansas and Miller County for their patience and understanding as we continue this journey to keep our community safe and healthy. It is understandable that everyone is filled with questions and anxiety and is looking for answers. We continue to stay in close contact with the Governor and follow his lead for helping to minimize the spread of this virus. Yesterday, a directive order was issued by the Secretary of Health.
The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Governor, has the sole authority over all instances of quarantine, isolation, and restrictions on commerce and travel throughout Arkansas, as necessary and appropriate to control disease in the state of Arkansas as authorized by Ark. Code Ann. 20-7-109-110.
We appreciate our state leadership who bases decisions on available scientific evidence to help control COVID-19. We will continue to monitor our local activities to ensure we are following all directives. Following the directive set forth by our State can sometimes prohibit local decisions but it is important to know that we stand with our sister city and county. Even though we are not enacting a Shelter In Place, we support our fellow citizens in Texarkana Texas and Bowie County. We must do our part by adhering to the mandatory curfew and curfew guidelines, following the CDC guidelines of good hand hygiene, social distancing and not participating in gatherings of 10 or more. We are requesting our citizens to stay at home whether you are sick or not and limit personal travel to the essentials of to and from work, gas/grocery stores, pharmacies, medical appointments and emergencies. This is temporary and we are simply trying to slow the curve by minimizing exposure. These steps are important to achieve this. These decisions are not taken lightly and are being made in good faith to protect our community. Be kind, be compassionate, be understanding and know we are all in this together.”
Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell—
I received an update this morning from our Emergency Operations Center that there are now two positive cases of COVID-19 in Bowie County. While that number seems low, it does indicate that the virus has not been contained and will continue to spread in our community.
We know through investigations in our Emergency Operations Center that this case has had multiple contacts with others in the community. Those individuals have been contacted by authorities and we are working to identify every place they’ve been and person they’ve been in contact with. You can see how this quickly gets out of hand, and how the virus can affect large numbers of our residents in a very short time.
Now more than ever, there is a risk that this virus will spread rapidly. We absolutely must protect the most vulnerable members of the community, and we need to ensure that as many possible self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible. Essential services will continue, but we are doing everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19.
When I look at our neighboring states, I see alarming numbers in Louisiana, and growing numbers in Arkansas. In our unique situation, I must take into account the four states region and how our County is situated as a hub for hundreds of thousands of people traveling in and out on a daily basis.
Earlier this week, Governor Abbott said that each local entity will need to make decisions about to enact more stringent measures to protect their residents. It’s time to enact those more drastic measures here in Bowie County now.
I am hereby issuing a Shelter-in-Place order effective tonight at 11:59 p.m. and in effect until 12 AM on April 13, 2020. This order is based on evidence of increasing cases within the County and throughout the four states area, scientific evidence and best practices regarding slowing the transmission of COVID-19 specifically, and evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19; and
All individuals currently living within Bowie County, Texas are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times, as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to utilize Social Distancing Requirements in their operation).
All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations. For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open; however, even Essential Businesses are encouraged to determine essential staff necessary to operate and to send non-essential staff home.
All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
All travel, except Essential Travel and Essential Activities, is prohibited. This Order allows travel into or out of the County to perform Essential Activities, operate Essential Businesses, or maintain Essential Governmental Functions.
This order will be posted on www.coronatxk.org in case you’d like to read the details. Mostly, I want to convey how serious of an issue we are facing here in Bowie County. I am doing my best to be proactive and slow the spread of this virus now, but the reality is that COVID-19 is a challenging thing to tame. Thank you for helping me and other leaders keep our communities safe and healthy and protected from this virus.
Texarkana, Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman—
“I want to echo the Judge’s sentiments that this Shelter-in-Place is necessary and important. Please follow the order to stay at home.
I know our residents are eager to get back to their normal routine. This interruption in our daily lives has been difficult, and it has been a tough couple weeks here in Texarkana.
However, the numbers are growing in our region, and this is a critical time to take action. Right now, the only way that we can prevent this virus from spreading further is to do all we can to keep everyone at home.
Please keep practicing CDC guidelines to social distance, self-isolate, avoid groups of 10 or more, clean all surfaces and wash your hands frequently. Let’s be vigilant about staying at home at all times unless it’s necessary to get out.
Together, we must protect the most vulnerable among us. Together we can get through this and together, we will remain Texarkana strong.”