GRAHAM – A Young County judge on Friday released clarifications regarding Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 restriction orders and the implications of not following them.
Judge John Bullock reinforced the stern restriction on gatherings of 10 persons or more and outlined new rules for meetings such as Young County Commissioners Court, city councils, civic clubs and church services.
The immediate future of county meetings will offer a livestream service with only the necessary participants and essential media and commissioners court members present.
“Other attendees may attend via (YouTube) by putting into your browser co.young.tx.us and scrolling to the bottom of the page where you will find past Archived CC meetings,” Bullock wrote in a news release. “When I have activated the (Wi-Fi) connection, a tab will appear ‘LIVE’ – click there and you should be in the meeting.”
Under the governor’s restrictions, bars, clubs and restaurants are closed to in-house dining, but can offer drive-thru, pick-up or delivery. The rules will be enforced out of the safety of the public.
“Violations of the Governor’s Executive Order, GA 08, will be reported to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) which could result in the TABC suspending or withdrawing an Alcohol License, fine and or prosecution,” Bullock wrote. “Local violations can result in a Class B Misdemeanor, prosecuted to a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or 180 day confinement and loss of alcohol license.”
The state’s official COVID-19 count is 2,552 infected and 34 dead as of March 29. The Texas Hospital Association wrote Abbott in response to those numbers and statistical forecasting, calling on communities to shelter in place.
“Given the projections and gravity of the situation, Texas hospitals want to share our firm position in support of strong shelter-in-place provisions to protect our health care workers and the community,” Ted Shaw, the president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association, wrote.
Counties throughout the state have additionally issued their own shelter-in-place requirements in recent days.
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