Montgomery County Judge Amends Order Related to Occupancy of Premises Throughout Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- WHEREAS, a local disaster declaration was declared on March 12, 2020, ratified and extended for 30 days by a duly called Emergency Meeting of Commissioners Court on the same day, and both the State of Texas and Federal disaster declarations were issued on March 13, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus is contagious and spreads through person-to-person contact, especially in group settings; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance to all Americans, requesting gatherings of 10 persons or more to cease for the fifteen (15) days; and

WHEREAS, an emerging public health emergency does currently exist and is expected to worsen, where Montgomery County desires to slow down and prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout Montgomery County; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County urges residents of the county to follow the guidance of the CDC and immediately begin social distancing; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County urges private businesses to adhere to the CDC guidelines and begin to implement social distancing within their organizations where possible to include work from home options where practical; and

NOW THEREFORE, I, MARK J. KEOUGH, COUNTY JUDGE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 418, HEREBY ORDER:

Effective as of 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2020 and continuing through April 6, 2020, unless terminated or modified by an order, the County Judge of Montgomery County, Texas, deems it in the public interest to issue the following order(s):

1. Hair and nail salons, spas, licensed massage businesses, tattoo parlors, and cosmetic businesses shall cease operations.
2. Nursing homes, retirement, and long term care facilities shall prohibit non-essential visitors from accessing their facilities unless to provide critical assistance or for end of life visitation.
3. All restaurants shall cease all onsite dining operations.
4. All restaurants may continue takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering operations.
5. Restaurants shall not allow any employee to report to work who is demonstrating signs of any form of sickness, or having a fever.
• Strict handwashing and sanitizing operations must be deployed.
6. All bars or private clubs shall cease operations.
7. Gyms, movie theaters, or amusement type businesses shall cease operations.
8. Any event sponsored or permitted by a political subdivision in Montgomery County shall cease.
9. Events greater than 10 persons at all publicly held facilities across Montgomery County shall cease.
10. Any event greater than 10 persons held at private facilities is urged to cancel.
11. Retail stores, private businesses, non-profit organizations and religious organizations to include churches, synagogues, mosques or other places of worship are urged to comply with the CDC guidelines related to 10 persons gathering in any one place or at one time.
12. Retail stores who sell groceries or medical supplies are exempt from this order.
13. Daycare facilities are exempt and must comply with DFPS and CDC guidelines.

THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ANY PREVIOUS ORDER RELATED TO THE OCCUPANCY OF A PREMISE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS.
Pursuant to Chapter 418, Sec. 418.173 Texas Government Code, any violation of this order constitutes an offense committed under this statute and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 dollars or confinement in jail for a term no greater than 180 days.
This order does NOT extend to law enforcement activities, emergency responses, and court operations or grand jury operations.

All Montgomery County Employees should report to work as directed by their Department Head or Elected Department Head.
Effective immediately and through the duration of this order, all Montgomery County employees shall cease any work related travel.

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