County Judge Tries to Clarify What Can/Shouldn’t Stay Open

Fayette County issued some local guidelines on Wednesday, April 1, regarding the emergency orders signed by himself and Governor Greg Abbott to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

“I want to clarify to all, in as simple terms as possible, just what this means to Fayette County with respect to applicability and adherence at this point in time,” County Judge Joe Weber said.

First, Weber said all government entities and businesses in Fayette County will continue to provide essential services during the COVID-19 disaster, and all critical infrastructure in the County will remain operational.

He said essential services are defined as those that ensure “continuity of functions critical to public health and safety.” He listed the following as essential services:

• staffing operations centers,
• maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure,
• operating dispatch and call centers,
• working construction,
• performing operational functions and
• support of crucial supply chains.

Workers who support the above services, Weber said, include those in the fields of medical and healthcare, telecommunications, information technology, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement and public works. Any questions regarding these essential functions and/or workers who perform them should be addressed to the office of the Fayette County Emergency Manager or the office of the Fayette County Judge.

People shall continue to avoid eating and drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts. Other establishments to be avoided include gyms, massage establishments, tattoo studios, piercing studios, or cosmetology salons, including barber shops and hair styling salons.

The Judge encouraged businesses to offer drive-through, curbside pickup and delivery services for food and drink.

“County residents are not prohibited from accessing essential services or engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to grocery stores or gas stations, providing or obtaining other essential services, visiting parks, hunting or fishing, or engaging in physical activity so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize person to person contact with people not in the same household,” Weber said.

Fayette County residents are prohibited from visiting nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, or long term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance. Schools remain temporarily closed to in-person classroom attendance and shall not recommence before May 4.

The above restrictions took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, April 2.

“At this time Fayette County is not under a County-mandated shelter in place,” Weber said. 

Any questions concerning the above imposed restrictions should be addressed to the Fayette County office of Emergency Management or the office of the Fayette County Judge by calling (979) 968-6469.. Failure to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order is an offense punishable by a fine up to $1,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days, or both.

Weber asked the public to follow the following recommendations for person safety:

• Wash your hands continuously and correctly and avoid touching your face and eyes
• Keep a distance of at least six feet from those you encounter
• Avoid crowds of more than 10 people
• If you feel sick, stay home and call your local health provider
• Call first before seeking essential county services or assistance regarding potential coronavirus symptoms. For medical emergencies always call 911.
• Stay home unless you are associated with providing or receiving essential services
• Cease all activities and travel outside of the household that are not absolutely necessary
• Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

“If we all do the above, we will be doing those things we have direct control over,” Weber said. “We will be doing the most important things in preventing the spread of the virus within our County. I believe Fayette County is on the right path to curbing the spread of the virus, but we can expect more cases. Community spread is here and now is the time to not let our guard down in adhering to the above.”

Weber said he and other county officials planned to meet with medical professionals from around the area on Thursday, April 2, to develop a plan for centralized coronavirus testing in Fayette County. He said the County is setting up a mobile tent at a location in La Grange that could be used for drive-through testing, should it become necessary. Look for an announcement in the Fayette County Record or on the Fayette County website (https://www.co.fayette.tx.us) if or when centralized testing becomes available.

“In conclusion, I thank all of you for the effort you are making in preventing the spread of the virus within our county,” Weber said. 

“If we continue to take care of ourselves and our loved ones in the manner our health experts continually preach to us, we will come through these trying times together, just as we have in the past.”