Mayor Scott Lemay and the Garland City Council met Wednesday, March 25 to craft amendments to an ordinance they had passed Monday, March 23 regarding the COVID-19-related shelter in place order. The March 23 ordinance had proved to be confusing to residents as it was difficult to understand whose orders the residents were to follow. Local television newscasts revealed that numerous area cities’ residents were confused by different, and sometimes conflicting, versions of guidelines being published.
Today’s ordinance more closely follows the guidelines set by Dallas County. It requires the closure of non-essential businesses as declared by Dallas County. It also requires that if one person in a household tests positive, everyone in that household must self-quarantine at home until a medical professional determines that it is no longer necessary.
The ordinance requires that Garland residents stay home unless conducting essential activities, which include getting food or medical supplies. Residents who work for essential businesses or government or community entities who cannot work from home may leave their residences for work. Everyone should practice social distancing.
According to the city’s press release, “Essential businesses include certain healthcare operations, government functions, critical infrastructure, essential retail and foodservice, services for economically disadvantaged populations, specific services to maintain essential operations, news media and childcare services.”
Public or private gatherings outside a single household are prohibited, along with elective medical and dental procedures.
Questions about whether businesses or operations are essential will be answered by Dallas County.
The mayor and council followed social distancing guidelines by conducting the meeting online from separate city hall rooms or their homes.
Everyone should continue to practice social distancing, wash hands frequently and thoroughly, disinfect surfaces and high-touch items and stay home if sick.
Tonight’s city of Garland update reported 13 cases of COVID-19 and included one that resulted in the death of a woman in her 80s. She did not have other high-risk health problems. Updates are available at GarlandTX.gov.
Dallas County announced an astounding 78 new cases today, the largest one-day increase to date, along with six deaths.