COVID-19 News

COUNTY JUDGE ISSUES PRESS RELEASE REGARDING OPENING OF BARS

October 13, 2020: After discussing with local mayors, city staffs, including feedback from Medical City’s executive leadership, the decision has been made as a team to open the bars in Parker County on October 14, 2020. Based on the feedback received and evaluating our current numbers, we feel comfortable we can take this action and continue to maintain an effective containment strategy in Parker County. We will continue to monitor the data received by DSHS as we go forward, as well as hospital bed capacity.

The opening of the bars will be required to abide by the minimum standard health protocols as outlined by TABC. If these restrictions and rules are not followed, then we will have to shut these businesses down again. So, taking personal responsibility is critical as we continue to get our businesses open again and get our economy opened up.

To review to minimum standard health protocols, visit: https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/7239/OpenTexas-Checklist-Bars

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER GA32 TO EXPAND OPENINGS

October 8, 2020:  Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order to open bars and similar establishments at up to 50% capacity in conjunction with county officials. In hospital regions with low COVID-19 hospitalizations, County Judges will be able to opt their county into opening bars beginning October 14th, provided they assist in enforcing health protocols. The Governor's Executive Order also increases the occupancy levels for all business establishments other than bars to 75%.  Read Order: https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/7225/EO-GA-32_continued_response_to_COVID-19_IMAGE_10-07-2020

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER ga30 TO EXPAND OPENINGS   

September 17, 2020:  This order does not supersede Executive Orders GA-10, GA-13, GA-17, GA-19, GA-24, GA-25, GA-27, or GA-29.  Read order:  https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-30_expanded_openings_COVID-19.pdf

COUNTY JUDGE ISSUES EXTENSION TO ORDER FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

August 10, 2020: Read order: https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/6915/FINAL-OES-Court-Order--COVID-LTC-facilities-requirements-8-10-2020

COUNTY JUDGE ISSUES 4TH AMENDED ORDER FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

July 28, 2020 -  Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities have been severely impacted by COVID-19 across Parker County. To help with the spread of COVID-19 to these high risk populations, County Judge Pat Deen in coordination with the local health authority, Dr. Steven Welch, have issued an order for all Parker County long-term care facilities.  To read order: https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/6840/2020-July-28-Order-for-Long-Term-Care-Facility-Protection 

COUNTY JUDGE ISSUES PROCLAMATION ON GATHERINGS UP TO 100 PEOPLE

July 7, 2020 - County Judge Pat Deen signed a Proclamation that allows the citizens of Parker County to have outdoor gatherings up to 100 people.  Gatherings over 100 people in the unincorporated areas of the County will require approval from the County Judge.  To read proclamation:  https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/6763/Proclamation-July-7-2020

GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT ISSUES MANDATORY MASK ORDER

July 2, 2020 -  Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The order states, "Every person in Texas shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household."  To read executive order: https://open.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/EO-GA-29-use-of-face-coverings-during-COVID-19-IMAGE-07-02-2020.pdf

DECLARATION ISSUED FOR PARKER COUNTY REQUIRING FACE MASKS IN GROUPS OF 100 PEOPLE OR MORE

July 1, 2020 -  A Declaration of Local State of Disaster due to Public Health Emergency was issued on July 1, 2020 requiring face masks for individuals in areas open to the public where social distancing is not feasible and where it is estimated that 100 people or more are present.  This order goes into effect Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 6:00 PM continuing through 6:00 p.m. on July 8, 2020, unless extended, modified or terminated early by the Parker County Judge or the Commissioners Court.

It is strongly encouraged for individuals 10 years and older to wear a face covering in areas open to the public where it is difficult to keep six feet away from other people.  Face masks may include homemade masks, scarfs, bandannas, or a handkerchief and should be worn over the nose and mouth.  Individuals with a “significant mental or physical health risk” to wearing a mask do not have to comply with this ordinance. 

To read the declaration in its entirety, visit: https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/6727/Declaration-July-1


GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER GA-28

June 26, 2020 - Read Executive Order:  https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-28_targeted_response_to_reopening_COVID-19.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3RYqqxt-UE3FAhUBJSBg797Vm-eQbxq8yfL-aIL3mrvDQdVtXmawbEiwM 

Parker County Response:  Governor Abbott released a new executive order today rolling back some of his Texas reopening phases announced last month and this month.  From our initial reading, here are some relevant items for Parker County residents and businesses to be aware of:

  • Because of Parker County’s attestation granted on June 12th, restaurants, businesses and event venues can remain at 75% capacity. Counties without attestation must roll back to 50%.
  • Staff does not count toward operating capacity, except for manufacturing services and office workers.
  • Bars are closed again
  • Outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people that do not already fall under Executive Order guidelines in Sections 1,2, & 4 (it’s a lengthy list of events that are covered by EO guidelines) must have written approval from the mayor if in the city limits or the county judge if in the unincorporated county.
  • Every person and business should make good faith efforts to use available resources to follow minimum standard health protocols recommended by DSHS. These can be found at gov.texas.gov/opentexas.
  • Nothing prohibits a business from imposing additional hygiene/health requirements for customers, including face coverings.
  • Individuals are encouraged to wear face coverings, but no jurisdiction can impose a civil or criminal penalty for failure to wear a face covering.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT UPDATE ON TEXAS’ CONTINUED RESPONSE TO COVID-19

June 23, 2020 - Governor Greg Abbott provided an update on Texas’ continued response to COVID-19. The Governor discussed several steps the state is taking to mitigate the spread of the virus in recent weeks—including increasing enforcement of health and safety regulations, rapidly increasing testing in hot spots, and working with hospitals throughout the state to ensure they have the ability to treat Texans who test positive for COVID-19. To read press release, visit: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-provides-update-on-covid-19-response-urges-texans-to-follow-guidelines

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ANNOUNCES PHASE THREE TO OPEN TEXAS

June 3, 2020 - Under Phase III, effective immediately, all businesses in Texas will be able to operate at up to 50% capacity, with very limited exceptions. Business that previously have been able to operate at 100% capacity may continue to do so, and most outdoor areas are not subject to capacity limits. To view Executive Order GA - 26: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-26_expanded_opening_COVID-19.pdf

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

May 26, 2020 - Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation expanding additional services and activities that can open under Phase II of the state’s plan to safely and strategically open. With this proclamation, water parks, recreational sport programs for adults, driver education programs, and food-court dining areas within shopping malls can begin operations with limited occupancy or regulations to protect the health and safety of Texans. To view declaration:  https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/DISASTER_Adding_Covered_Services_to_GA-23_No_2_COVID-19.pdf

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ANNOUNCES PHASE TWO TO OPEN TEXAS

May 18, 2020 - Governor Greg Abbott announced the second phase of the State of Texas’ ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT EXTENDS COVID-19 DISASTER DECLARATION FOR ALL TEXAS COUNTIES

May 12, 2020: Read Proclamation: Renewal of Disaster Declaration

GOVERNOR ABBOTT EXPANDS BUSINESS OPENINGS

May 5, 2020 - Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-21 relating to the expanded reopening of services (including various salons, wedding venues, etc.) as part of the Open Texas response to Covid-19.

PARKER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT SENDS LETTER TO GOVERNOR ABBOTT

April 30, 2020 - Read letter: https://www.parkercountytx.com/DocumentCenter/View/6497/Letter-to-Governor-Abbott 

GOVERNOR ABBOTT’S REPORT TO OPEN TEXAS

April 27, 2020 - Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-18 relating to the expanded reopening of services as part of the Open Texas response to Covid-19.  In addition, the Governor released The Governor’s Report to Open Texas. The document contains guidelines and protocols to help Texans and businesses reopen safely.  

COMMISSIONERS COURT ISSUES FOURTH AMENDED DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER

April 27, 2020: The Commissioners Court issued Fourth Amended Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health continuing to require all physicians and facilities to report their COVID-19 testing on a daily basis for an additional 30 days.

FIRST DRIVE THROUGH TESTING SITE IN THE WORKS

April 22, 2020:  The Governor’s Office, with input from DSHS, has reached out asking if Parker County would like to participate in mobile testing. The details will be forthcoming, but we have agreed and are working with the City of Weatherford on the logistics of a 1 day drive through testing site that will rotate to other counties, then return for another 1 day of testing. This rotation will continue for an unknown amount of time. Additional information about this free, state lead effort continues to come and we will include the details as they become available.

PARKER COUNTY SECOND AMENDED DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER IS SIGNED

April 21, 2020: Judge Deen issued a Second Amended Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health continuing to require all physicians and facilities to report their COVID-19 testing on a daily basis.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES THREE EXECUTIVE ORDERS

April 17, 2020 - Gov. Abbott issued three Executive Orders (EOs). Firstly, he established the Strike Force to Open Texas to advise on safely and strategically reopening the state of Texas. Secondly, EO GA-16 relates to the reopening of select services and activities. Thirdly, EO GA-15 relates to hospital capacity and PPE and loosens restrictions on surgeries that were put in place in March.  

NEW PARKER COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE FORMED

April 17, 2020 - Parker County Judge Pat Deen announced the formation of a COVID-19 Task Force to combine resources in fighting this serious virus. 

GOVERNOR RENEWS DISASTER DECLARATION

April 12, 2020: The Governor renewed the disaster declaration of March 13, 2020 for Covid-19.

AMENDED ORDER SIGNED BY COUNTY JUDGE 

April 9, 2020 - County Judge Pat Deen signed an order for all Parker County physicians, public, private and commercials labs and medical facilities to report the number of COVID-19 tests being conducted.  

GOVERNOR ABBOTT CLOSES ALL STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES

April 7, 2020  The Governor has directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to close all state parks and historic sites. They will close to the public starting on 4/7 at 5PM and will reopen at the direction of the Governor.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER GA-14

March 31, 2020: Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-14 to remain in force until April 30. Schools will remain closed until May 4th. The new order renews and amends his previous order, sets forth additional guidelines for social distancing as well as further defines "Essential Services".

LOCAL DECLARATION SIGNED  

March 24, 2020 -  An Amended Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency was signed March 23,2020 and will go into effect on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 6PM.