Marshall and Harrison County Heighten COVID-19 Response

[Marshall, Texas, April 24, 2020]

The City of Marshall and Harrison County have remained on alert to safeguard the health of our community members as we face the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic together. To that end, the Marshall Police Officers, Health Inspector, and Fire Marshal have been on inspections to verify compliance with the Amended Declarations of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency Due to a Communicable Disease. While it is their goal to ensure that everyone remains peaceful and follows the orders, the Marshall Police Department has made numerous warnings and three arrests due to significant violations. The Fire Marshal has also issued multiple warnings and closed nonessential businesses who failed to agree to close.

The City of Marshall and Harrison County asks all residents and businesses to follow the CDC, Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders, and Local Declarations of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency Due to a Communicable Disease. Your health, the safety of your family, and the stability of our economy are our highest concerns. As your local government leaders, we cannot accomplish these goals without your immediate compliance. The Marshall Police Department, Harrison County Sherriff’s Department, the Health Inspector, and the Fire Marshal will continue inspections with warnings, fines and jail time if orders are not followed.

At the request of the Emergency Management Team, the City of Marshall and Harrison County request all businesses in Harrison County implement the following two guidelines. First, businesses should assign a safety monitor at the entrance to maintain social distance, to ensure that best-hygiene practices are in place and to limit the number of shoppers entering the store. Second, businesses should limit occupancy within their stores to 5 persons per 1000 square feet, with a maximum of 450 people. This maximum number of shoppers shall be posted on the front door.

The City of Marshall and Harrison County have seen a significant increase in positive COVID-19 tests in recent days. Therefore, The City of Marshall and Harrison County will work together to increase enforcement.

Third Amended Declarations of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency Due to a Communicable Disease

The new local orders stipulate that retail establishments will be able to operate as “Retail-to-Go” as delineated in the Texas Governor’s Executive Order GA-16, effective April 24, 2020. “Retail-to-Go” was defined by Governor Abbott as a safe, strategic reopening of select services and activities in Texas. This order establishes a temporary “Retail-To-Go” model that will allow select retail outlets in Texas to reopen beginning Friday, April 24. Under this model, reopened establishments are required to deliver items to customer’s cars, homes, or other locations to minimize contact. Customer admittance in the store will not be allowed under this provision.

In addition, the new local orders will require every Harrison County food establishment to have all employees wear a face mask at all times. In transactions with customers, cash handling functions and food serving functions are also required to be handled by separate employees.

Citizens are urged to follow following the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) national guidelines, Executive Orders by Governor Greg Abbott and the Local Amended Declaration Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency Related to Communicable Disease.

1. Restrict physical contact and publicly used areas.

2. Maintain Social Distancing with a safe distance of six (6’) feet between individuals.

3. Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of 10 or more per Executive Order of Governor Abbott.

4. Residents should not visit nursing homes, retirement, or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.

5. Per the CDC, people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors. Residents may still utilize drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options through the Executive Order.

6. Regularly wash hands with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

7. Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.

8. If soap is not available, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

9. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. All persons should remain in the home if one person in the house exhibits symptoms.

10. Only one adult should conduct essential errands from the household. Other family members should remain sheltered at home.

11. CDC recommends wearing a cloth face mask in public. The mask will fit snugly, be secured with ear loops, and be able to be laundered and machine dried often. A mask should not be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or unable to remove the mask without assistance. A mask with multiple layers of fabric should allow for breathing without restriction. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators as those critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.

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