Update: March 19, 2020:
The Garland Health Department has received reports of four confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Garland residents. Two cases involve patients in their 30s, one in their 40s, and one in their 70s.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order Thursday, March 19 with updated restrictions for group gatherings, school closings, nursing homes, and certain business activities such as restaurants and bars.
The Garland City Council officially declared a state of disaster and emergency during its March 17 Regular Meeting, due to the spread of COVID-19. The disaster declaration ordinance includes restrictions on public gatherings and certain businesses and prohibits hoarding and price gouging.
The Council plans to hold more frequent meetings to stay up to date on COVID-19 situation with their next meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.
The Garland Health Department (GHD) has received reports of three confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Garland residents. Two cases involve patients in their 30s, who are quarantined at home. The third case involves a patient in their 70s, who is hospitalized. All three cases have been reported to Dallas County Health & Human Services.
The Garland City Council officially declared a state of disaster and emergency during its March 17 Regular Meeting, due to the spread of COVID-19. The disaster declaration includes the following restrictions on public gatherings and certain businesses:
The declaration calls for the cancellation of more than 50 people in a single room or other single confined or enclosed space, where individuals are within six feet of each other for extended periods. Not included are bus and rail station, office space, residential buildings, retail establishments, hospitals and medical facilities.
Restaurants, other than those providing food service by take out, delivery or drive-through, will be closed. Bars, lounges, taverns, or arcades and private clubs also will be closed.
The declaration prohibits hoarding of food and other items necessary for daily living, as well as price gouging.
The Council plans to hold more frequent meetings to stay up to date on COVID-19 situation with their next meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.
Other COVID-19 response updates, City service updates and event cancellations and postponements are available at GarlandTX.gov.
Monitor GarlandTX.gov and the City’s social media pages for updates.
Additional updates:
211 Texas has activated a COVID-19 option within the 211 platform. 211 specialists across the state are available 24/7 to answer the most frequently asked questions. Visit www.211Texas.org.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been granted the authority to extend the expiration of a Texas identification card, driver license, commercial driver license of election identification certificate for the duration of the Governor’s declaration of State of Disaster. Visit www.dps.texas.gov for more information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. Link to more information on the CDC website.
GarlandISD has created a COVID-19 Update webpage, which includes resources for students and families. Check frequently for updates.
The Garland Health Authority has updated its health directives for long-term care facilities and mass gatherings. Those advisories are available on the Disease Information page.