County issues stay at home, stay safe order
Commissioners Kyle Butler, Randy Stinson and County Judge Todd Little all voted for the Shelter-in-Place edict that will remain in effect until April 3 at midnight.
Ellis County Commissioners Court rendered a mandate to all 175,000 of its residents to Stay Home and Stay Safe following a marathon six-hour meeting inside the Historic Courthouse in Waxahachie on Tuesday evening. The order, which carries a hefty fine and penalty for violators, is part of an amended disaster declaration that was passed a week prior.
The Stay Home was approved in a 3-2 vote, with new County Judge Todd Little casting the tie-breaking ballot. Commissioners Kyle Butler (Precinct 4), of Sardis, and Randy Stinson (Pct. 1), of Palmer, supported the measure. Those opposed were Ennis’ Lane Grayson (Pct. 2) and Italy resident Paul Perry (Pct. 3).
“We need to flatten the curve,” stated Midlothian’s Dr. Leigh Nordstrom, Ellis County Local Health Authority. “It is my recommendation that we implement a shelter in place here in Ellis County.”
At the time of the meeting, which began at 2 p.m. and lasted into the evening, there was a total of eight (8) confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ellis county, with six of them having been sent home in isolation.
The decree went into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, and was to remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020. It could be extended by the Ellis County Commissioners Court or rescinded by the Ellis County Judge.
It is similar to other counties in the area, including Dallas, Fort Worth and as nearby as Kaufman. Eric Johnson, 44, and Betsy Price, 70, mayors in Big D and Cowtown, are in the news daily, with developments. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a ban on large gatherings on March 12, and others have followed suit.
Texas Governor since 2015, Greg Abbott, 62, has stated he has not put into place a statewide shelter-in-place mandate because the virus is not in most counties. He said less than a week ago that more than 200 of the 254 counties in Texas have zero cases of COVID-19.
Must Do’s / Can’t Do’s
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mar. 25, “all individuals currently living within Ellis County are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. For the purposes of this order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably as possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence.
The decree says that no one is to leave their residences unless it is for essential activities, or to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. Social distancing is to be practiced, as much as possible, while at work.
Nothing in this order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
Restaurants with or without drivein or drive-through services and microbreweries, microdistilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law.
Grocery stores, supermarkets, warehouse stores, hospitals, and medical facilities are experiencing high levels of demand for a large number of products, requiring more deliveries from manufacturers and distribution centers to serve their customers.
Who is ordered to isolate
Anyone in a household that has tested positive for coronavirus, is required – along with the household, is ordered to isolate at home. Members of the household are prohibited from going to work, school, or any other community function.
Nursing homes, retirement, and long-term care facilities are instructed by this order to prohibit non-essential visitors from accessing their facilities unless to provide critical assistance or for end-of-life visitation.
Any person who violates this Executive Order may be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 confinement or confinement for a period not exceeding 180 days.
In summary - if you have symptoms, have someone in your home that has tested positive, or are elderly or have an underlying condition, you are to remain at home at all times.
“This was a hard decision to make. I understand this is a time of uncertainty, but it is imperative to take the necessary actions as recommended by our local health authority to support our first responders and medical personnel who are working to preserve the health of the public,” stated Judge Little. “We must do everything within our means to protect life and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Ellis County, and we must do it now.”
Can Do’s
During the order, residents can still grocery shop and pick up medications from the pharmacy, although they are urged to pick up, deliver, or use curbside. Residents can still walk, bike, or hike in their neighborhood, just not in groups. They can also order takeout from restaurants or use the drive-thru.
It is possible to visit elderly friends and family to run errands and care for them, just be safe and limit interaction.
Non-essential businesses must close. They include:
- Barber shops and hair salons
- Spas, tanning and massage parlors, and other personal care businesses
- Commercial amusement establishments, such as theaters and bowling alleys
- Gyms and other fitness centers
- Tattoo and piercing parlors
- Residential and hotel meeting spaces and ballrooms
- Outdoor classes and markets
