Wichita Falls has moved to modify its shelter-in-place order in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to News Channel 6 Now, Wichita Falls City Council modified the shelter-in-place order on March 31.
“To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they shall, to the greatest extent feasible, maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person, consistent with the Social Distancing Requirements, as defined in Section 7 below,” the order said. “All persons may leave their residences only to perform certain Essential Activities, to perform work in or obtain services from an Essential Business, Essential Government Service, or in Critical Infrastructure, or to engage in Essential Travel or Minimum Basic Operations, all as defined in Section 7 below.”
The order also declared that non-essential business and operations had to stop and that gatherings outside of a home or dwelling place were prohibited, except in the case of members of a household gathering together. Only essential travel was previously allowed under the March 27 order.
Activities outdoors are allowed so long as social distancing was heeded, though playgrounds were closed to prevent people from congregating.
The latest order from March 31, however, made several changes to the original order. Grocery stores and food establishments — such as restaurants — are allowed to remain open but must only allow half-capacity and must ensure that customers can maintain six feet of separation. Additionally, golf courses must only allow for one golfer per cart and all golfers must stay 50 feet apart. Plant nurseries and box stores can stay open with the understanding that customers will purchase plants and other items remotely.
Drive-thru car washes can stay open, but employees are not allowed to hand-dry cars. Finally, real estate listings must be done remotely.
As of April 5, Texas reported 6,812 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 127 deaths. Wichita County has 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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