File photo
File photo
Tyler County Judge Jacques Blanchet issued an emergency order regarding the maximum occupancy of facilities throughout the county amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blanchet issued an order that would halt all county-sponsored events, limit the maximum occupancy of public and private events to no more than 10 people, and all county residents should be distanced by at least 6 feet at any gatherings in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
Good hand hygiene is also required in the issued order.
The order also placed restrictions on businesses and restaurants. Dine-in services will not be allowed, but take-out and delivery services are allowed. Other grocery and convenience stores can stay open, but Blanchet recommends residents take advantage of curbside pick-up as much as possible.
Nursing homes in the county also have to limit visitations.
A 24-hour curfew is also ordered for anyone under 18 who isn't in school; isn't accompanied by a parent, guardian, or school personnel; or isn't going to or from their home to work.
Schools will also have to implement online and remote learning, but meals can still be distributed in the county to students who rely on free or reduced meals in school. Administrative and essential personnel are still allowed to operate the school district, but must not have more than 10 individuals in a close space.
The judge's order will also help control prices at which goods are sold. In-demand items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other cleaning items cannot be sold at a price higher than what they were listed as before March 12.
Other items and materials that follow this are construction materials, electrical and gas equipment, candles, matches, batteries and the like, hardware tools, car supplies and other essential items. For a complete list of items the order applies to, view Blanchet's emergency order.
If any person or business violates the pricing rules, they will be subjected to a fine of $500 or less, Tyler County Booster reported.
Employees of hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers are exempt from this order. Federal, state and local government officials are also exempt. Law enforcement, such as police, firefighters and EMS, also doesn't apply to the order.
The emergency order will be in effect until April 18.
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