City of Eagle Pass, Texas Adopts Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order Limiting Public Gatherings, Dining-In at Restaurants, and Closing Bars Due to COVID-19
By: Ricardo E Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas under the leadership of Mayor Luis E. Sifuentes announced today (March 19, 2020) at a press conference held at City Council Chamber that it was adopting Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order that temporarily closes restaurant dining areas, bars and gyms, and schools effective Friday, March 20, 2020 at 12 P.M. (Midnight) and continues until April 3rd due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic gripping the community, state of Texas and worldwide.
Mayor Sifuentes stated that Governor Abbott’s executive orders which are being adopted by the City of Eagle Pass include the following: 1) Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people; 2) people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of this executive order; 3) people shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance; and 4) schools shall temporarily close.
Sifuentes noted that these executive orders do not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks and banks, so long as the nieces Sara precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Most importantly, this executive order does not mandate sheltering in place. All critical infrastructure will remain operational, domestic travel will remain unrestricted, and government entities and businesses will continue providing essential services.
Sifuentes noted that “for offices and workplaces that remain open, employees should practice good hygiene and, where feasible, work form home in order to achieve optimum isolation from COVID-19. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained and the sooner this executive order will expire.”
Sifuentes added that this executive order restrictions are temporary and may be extended by Governor Abbott and the Eagle Pass City Council and are designed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
