To help keep residents updated, the city of Garland has published and continues to publish a wealth of information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) on its website. An edited collection of the information is below and it will be updated as necessary.
The city is working with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners to ensure that best practices are in place for employees and the community.
As COVID-19 is a new virus, a vaccine could be many months away. Most healthy people who become infected can expect a mild to moderate illness (like flu) and will fully recover after a short time. Those with underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infections.
Timeline as of March 13, 2020, 5 p.m.
- President Trump has declared a national emergency.
- Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide Declaration of Disaster.
- Number of cases/deaths worldwide: 143,769/5,394
- Number of cases/deaths in the US: 1,992/41 deaths
- Number of cases/deaths in Texas: 48/0 deaths
- Thirteen people across North Texas have tested “presumptive positive” or “positive” for COVID-19. No cases have been confirmed in Garland.
- The evidence of community spread of the virus in Dallas County prompted officials to declare a local disaster and put restrictions on gatherings that became effective at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13. It prohibits gatherings of 500 people or more, but officials strongly recommend locals to generally avoid large gatherings and practice social distancing. The order runs through March 20.
Cancellations/Closings – county, city, GISD
- Dallas County has banned community gatherings of more than 500 people, effective until March 20, unless renewed by the Commissioners Court of Dallas County, Texas. See full text of Dallas County Declaration.
- Garland ISD will be closed throughout the week of March 16-20. Students will be engaged in remote learning activities.
- The Garland Senior Activity Center and the Carver Senior Center are closed until April 15. The city will coordinate with Meals on Wheels to distribute approximately 100 meals per day to senior citizens who usually receive these meals at the centers. For more information on senior center closures, call 972-205-2750.
- City Council has elected to temporarily postpone all Boards & Commissions meetings until further notice. The only exception(s) are those Boards or Commissions that have a statutory requirement to meet regularly. Those are Plan Commission, Board of Adjustments and Property Standards Board
- The Garland Libraries have canceled all programs, events and storytimes until the end of March.
- The Garland Landmark Society has suspended the museum’s Saturday visiting hours through April 15.
- The shade gardening class offered in partnership with Texas A&M Agrilife – Shady Business: Landscaping Where the Sun Don’t Shine – scheduled for Thursday, March 19 has been CANCELLED. To stay up to date with other Garland Neighborhood events, visit GarlandNeighborhoods.org.
City Council will continue to discuss COVID-19 response options during the regularly scheduled work session on Monday, March 16.
The city of Garland Health Department has issued a series of health directives intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Links are below:
Long-Term Care Facilities (pdf)
Citizens of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse age 65 and older (pdf)
All Citizens of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse (pdf)
All Publicly Occupied Buildings in Garland, Rowlett and Sachse (pdf)
Other helpful links:
Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Travel Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Informational Resources (posters, videos, etc.)
Water/Wastewater Treatment Information from NTMWD
COVID-19 documents, declarations, orders:
Governor Abbott’s Declaration 3-13-2020
Dallas County Public Health Declaration 3-12-2020 (pdf)
Dallas County Order – Community Gatherings
COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies (pdf)