“Stay home!,” was the message Governor Abbott gave on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 with his Executive Order GA 14.
The new regulations started Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. and continue through Thursday, April 30, 2020.
These orders may look familiar, as they are similar to the ones already in place by Teague, Texas, Streetman, Texas and Wortham, Texas.
Every person in Texas is to stay at home, except when necessary to provide or obtain essential services and supplies.
Additionally, everyone needs to minimize social gatherings and in-person contact.
Individuals and businesses need to emphasize good hygiene, sanitation, and social distancing, this can include allowing employees to work from home.
Buying groceries, getting gas, making medical visits, visiting parks, and even jogging are examples of allowed activities, as long as social distancing is kept.
Only one person per family needs to go into the grocery store, or any store.
This executive order does allow Religious meetings, but restricts the services to social distancing standards of no more than ten people, and keeping six feet apart.
Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities are closed to the public.
Schools are not to resume in classroom education before Monday, May 4, 2020.
Gyms, massage parlors, tattoo studios, piercing parlors, and cosmetology saloons are deemed non-essential and therefore cannot be visited.
Retail stores are considered non-essential, meaning many small gift shops, boutiques and more have been forced to close during this time.
Some Fairfield, Texas businesses have taken to Facebook to continue their sales, but online keeping in mind Social Distancing.
Bars and restaurants cannot allow customers to dine in. Only take-out, delivery and drive-thru options are allowed.
Texas is temporarily allowing restaurants to deliver alcohol with a meal.
A fine of up to $1000 and 180 days imprisonment is the punishment for not following these guidelines.
