Local Disaster Declaration and Shelter in Place were extended by City of Teague Board of Aldermen during the Monday, April 13, 2020 meeting.
The Local Disaster Declaration was extended until Monday, May 18, 2020, which is the date of the Board’s planned May meeting.
The declaration allows a city to properly respond and work with state and federal agencies, as well as document funds spent to apply for reimbursement.
At the time of the meeting, there had not yet been a “positive, confirmed through FDA approved COVID-19 test result,” according to City Administrator Theresa Bell.
The following day, the state returned the first positive result in Teague, Texas and Freestone County, and as of 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020, there are now a total of three cases in Teague.
Alderman Place 1 Jerry Ballew pointed out that a shelter in place is actually different from what the City of Teague were doing.
Citizens are asked to stay in their home except for essential needs, but it is actually good for them to go outside as long as they maintain social distancing.
One important note in regards to Alderman Ballew’s statement is that the meetings are currently being held via zoom and teleconference, Ballew had a very poor connection and was extremely difficult to understand, which lead to misunderstandings being shared.
“Yes, you can get out for essential activities, go for a walk, go for a bike ride, or enjoy the sun,” explains Theresa Bell in a video release on Facebook.
In other business, covered in the meeting was the approval of $90,000 for the match on the Sewer Grant the city previously received.
During a meeting held on Monday, April 20, 2020, the Board of Aldermen voted to take no action on extending the Shelter in Place order.
After Texas Governor Greg Abbott released new executive orders Friday, April 17, 2020 it became unnecessary for the Shelter in Place to be put into effect.
City Administrator Bell explained that, Governor Abbott’s previous executive orders do not allow a city to supersede his order, and his newer order, GA-16, gives local law enforcement the right to enforce if necessary.
The Shelter in Place was the only item on the Agenda for the Monday, April 20, 2020 meeting.