Harris County and Galveston County have both issued stay-at-home orders effective today (3/24) until April 3. It is expected that many more counties in the Greater Houston area will follow suit.
Harris County Stay at Home Order can be found here.
This action orders the following:
All individuals to remain at their place of residence unless engaging in essential activities, providing essential governmental functions, or operating essential businesses.
All businesses, except essential businesses, should cease all activities at facilities.
All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single house or living unit are prohibited
Restaurants may only provide take-out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law
Religious and worship services may only be provided by video and teleconferencing while limiting in-person staff to ten people or less
All elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures are prohibited
If someone tests positive for coronavirus, the whole household has to quarantine for 14 days
Nursing homes, retirement communities and long-term care facilities are to prohibit non-essential visitors
The order does carry criminal penalties with a fine of up to $1,000 for violators if caught.
What are essential activities?
Engaging in activities or performing tasks essential to the health and safety of a person or a person’s family/household
Obtaining necessary services or supplies for a person or their family/household such as food, consumer products, and products related to the essential operations of residences
Engaging in outdoor activities as long as social distancing requirements are observed
Performing work to provide essential products and services to an essential business
Caring for a family member or pet in another household
What are essential businesses?
Essential Healthcare Operations
Essential Government Functions
Essential Critical Infrastructure
Essential Retail
Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations
Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses
News Media
Childcare Services
Any other Essential Businesses outlined in the order
Additional COVID-19 resources for congregations available here
