To slow the spread of the coronavirus, the City of Dallas has issued an order restricting all residents to stay at home except for critical work and errands.
“This step is necessary to ensure that our enforcement efforts across the city are uniform and to clarify any confusion among Dallas residents about the many emergency orders they may have been hearing about,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement Tuesday.
The order applies to residents of Dallas County and parts of Collin, Denton, Rockwell and Kaufman counties. All non-essential businesses are required to stop operating or have their employees work from home. All gatherings outside of a household are banned.
The county's order, signed by Judge Clay Jenkins, expires April 3 but could be extended. The city's regulations extend through the end of the emergency declaration, April 29.
Anyone who violates the city's rules will be subject to a $50 to $2,000 fine.
The city has rolled out restrictions slowly over the last month as new information about the virus becomes available every day. On March 16, the city closed bars, lounges, taverns, private clubs, health studios, theaters, commercial entertainment facilities and all other businesses where people would come in close contact. Dining in at restaurants is prohibited, as are gatherings of more than 50 people. The measures are an attempt at getting people to practice social distancing.
To prevent the spread of disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands, avoiding touching the face, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding close contact with people, staying home when sick, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. More information about how to protect yourself from the coronavirus or what to do if you are sick can be found on the CDC website.
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