The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update, Tuesday, June 30, 2020

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Chairman Bunch Discusses the Importance of Wearing a Face Covering
As the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to increase both in Harris and Montgomery counties, please take a look at the importance of wearing a face covering from Township Chairman Gordy Bunch.
Watch the video

The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park Closed Temporarily Due to COVID-19 Exposure
The Woodlands Township has closed The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park temporarily due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

The facility will be closed through Tuesday, June 30, 2020, for cleaning and disinfecting and to provide proper notification to all who may have been in contact with the employee. Sunny Dayz Camp at Bear Branch Park is suspended for the week of June 29 through July 3, 2020. The facility and program re-opening will be announced later, pending the completion of safety and sanitization procedures.

County News
Montgomery County COVID-19 Case Count
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, encourages everyone to do your part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping businesses and restaurants open, especially ahead of this weekend’s 4th of July holiday. Limiting the number of people you come in contact with will reduce the chance of contracting COVID-19. Wearing a mask if necessary to be in public, frequent hand washing or using hand sanitizer, surface disinfection and social distancing are imperative.

Today, the number of ACTIVE cases of COVID-19 has increased to 832 in Montgomery County. The number of TOTAL positive cases has increased by 105 cases since yesterday to 2,133. Of the 832 active cases who are Montgomery County residents, 23 are in the hospital. 1,265 people have fully recovered.

You can view the list of case-by-case updates on the MCPHD website here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/. You can refer to the dashboard here: https://coronavirus-response-moco.hub.arcgis.com/.

The MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open for residents needing COVID-19 testing through the voucher program, or for general questions, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call 936-523-5040 for more information.

For more information on how to protect yourself and others, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.

The MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open for residents needing COVID-19 testing through the voucher program, or for general questions, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call 936-523-5040 for more information.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) publishes their daily case count, combined with the City of Houston’s daily case count, here: https://tinyurl.com/tzymvk5. Cases by zip code in Harris County can be found by clicking on areas of the map.


The Village of Creekside Park is located in two zip codes: 77375 and 77389, and these also include Magnolia, Augusta Pines/Auburn Lakes/West Rayford Road in northwest Harris County. Today, Harris County is reporting zip code 77375 has 176 confirmed positive cases with 72 active cases, and 77389 has 134 confirmed positive cases with 44 active cases.

Harris County Business Health and Safety Order extended until at least 8/26/20
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will amend an existing order mandating that all businesses in Harris County develop and post a health and safety policy for employees and customers, which at a minimum includes a face covering requirement. As part of the order, everyone over the age of 10 must wear a face covering while in businesses or on commercial properties, including employees and all visitors and customers. Read the complete order here.

Get tested, it’s free! To sign up for testing, visit hcphtx.org or ReadyHarris.org or you can call 832-927-7575. View flyer for more information. Once tested, results from HCPH testing sites can take up to 5 days to process. As you wait for your results, stay home and self-isolate, especially if you are sick, practice social distancing (6 ft/2 m) and wear a face-covering. View flyer for more information on the next steps after you have been tested.

Harris County Moves Threat Level to 1, Red: Stay Home
Harris County has changed its threat level indicator to Level 1, Red, Stay Home. Level one signifies a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19 in Harris County, meaning outbreaks are present and worsening and that testing and contact tracing capacity is strained or exceeded. At this level, residents take action to minimize contacts with others wherever possible and avoid leaving home except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine.

Regardless of current level indicated, all residents should continue the use of social distancing, frequent hand washing, and the use of face coverings until there is a vaccine or a treatment for the virus. Additionally, residents exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days regardless of level indicated.

Around the Township
Township to Present “Drive-In” and Online Fireworks Show to Celebrate America’s Birthday
The Woodlands Fourth of July celebration will take a different look this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, but the fireworks of celebration will continue the tradition of America’s birthday.

The Woodlands Township will offer a “drive-in” and online fireworks display, presented by St. Luke’s Health - The Woodlands Hospital, on Saturday, July 4, 2020. Watch the fireworks show online from the comfort of your home! The show will be streamed live on The Woodlands Township website at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and www.woodlandsonline.com

The 18-minute show will be launched from the campus of Lone Star College - Montgomery at approximately 9:30 p.m. and will be simulcast on KSTAR Country 99.7 FM with live coverage on The Woodlands Township’s website and Woodlands Online. To listen to the soundtrack live, spectators can download the KSTAR app by searching “KSTAR Country Radio” in the App Store or on Google Play.

Due to COVID-19, the festival locations of The Woodlands Fourth of July activities have been cancelled due to mass gatherings.

Read more about The Woodlands Township’s Drive-in Fireworks Display.

Fireworks are prohibited in The Woodlands neighborhoods
The Woodlands Fire Department and The Woodlands Township remind all residents that The Woodlands Covenants strictly prohibit the sale or use of fireworks and sparklers of any kind in The Woodlands Township neighborhoods. The Woodlands Township is situated in a beautiful forest, and one errant spark could severely damage the community.

To report the sale or use of fireworks, please call The Woodlands Fire Department non-emergency line at 281-362-3900 and inform the dispatcher of the activity and location. In the event of a fire or medical emergency, please call 911.

The Woodlands Town Center Trolleys Resumes Service July 1, 2020
The Woodlands Township will resume full service for the Town Center Trolleys beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. This includes all four trolleys operating the normal route and stops, seven days a week. Current capacity will be limited by half.

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, trolleys will be wiped with disinfection throughout the day and will undergo a thorough disinfection process at the end of each service day. All drivers will be required to wear face coverings. Passengers are also highly encouraged to wear face coverings. View the complete release.

Solid waste services not impacted by holiday weekend
The Woodlands Township reminds residents that all solid waste services in the community will occur as usual over the Fourth of July holiday. There will be no interruption or delay of trash, recycling, yard trimmings or Simple Recycling (textiles) services due to the holiday. All services will be provided on regular service days.

Message from the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association:

Governor Abbott Closes Standalone bars, Reduces Restaurant Capacity back to 50 Percent
On June 26, 2020, Governor Abbott amended his executive order affecting the opening of Texas. The June 26 order, GA-28, mandates restaurants shall again return to a maximum 50 percent occupancy capacity effective June 29, 2020. This does apply to hotel restaurants and dining areas.

Additionally, standalone bars or other establishments that derive more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages are permitted to open only for pickup/to-go service, effective at noon today. While most hotels do not derive more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages, hotels should take great care and consider reducing bar service to guests seated at a table in a dining area (at no more than 50 percent occupancy), or for to-go service or in-room dining.

Meetings may continue at a maximum 50 percent occupancy capacity, and subject to the physical distancing requirements found in these standards of operation issued by the State of Texas.

General hotel operations for the accommodation of overnight guests may continue at full capacity. Pools and other water features remain at 50 percent maximum occupancy and subject to physical distancing requirements.

Enjoy a Summer Getaway Right Here in The Woodlands
Looking for summer vacation plans due to COVID-19? Stay right here in The Woodlands! Many hotels are offering Summer Staycation and Mid-Week specials. Visit The Woodlands’ new website features special offers for restaurants, hotels in The Woodlands and more. View hotel specials and other offers here.

Visit The Woodlands Launches New Destination Website
Visit The Woodlands is proud to announce the launch of its new, fully redesigned destination website, visitthewoodlands.com. The new website offers the most accurate and up-to-date content for leisure travelers with access to curated trip ideas, upcoming events, special offers, visitors guide and more. The site also features a section designed for meeting planners that includes details on meeting venues in The Woodlands, CVB services, online RFP submission and the official Meeting Planners Guide. View the website here.

Re-Opening of The Woodlands
For a list of open and closed facilities in The Woodlands Township, please visit https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1495/Re-opening-of-The-Woodlands.
Open Hotels in The Woodlands
Westin and Marriott are expected to be opening soon. Be sure to stay up to date by viewing Visit The Woodlands.

Best Western Plus | Candlewood Suites | Drury Inn The Woodlands | Embassy Suites | Fairfield Inn and Suites | Hilton Garden Inn | Hyatt Place | Residence Inn Lakefront Drive | Residence Inn Market Street | The Woodlands Resort

Community Resources
Numerous resources are available in the community for support. These vary from food banks to financial assistance and much more. Please visit the link below to find more information about resources in the community related to COVID-19: http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1491/Community-Resources

Township Neighborhood Watch to Host Salute to First Responders Blood Drive
Visit The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park (6464 Creekside Forest Drive) on Monday, July 6, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to donate blood. Please consider this opportunity to express your gratitude to our first responders who continue to serve our community and receive a FREE beach towel with your successful donation!

Donors with appointments will be honored first; however, walk-ins will be taken when a station is open. Visit the Gulf Coast website to schedule your appointment.

The Gulf Coast Blood Center will take precautions to ensure your safety and is offering FREE COVID-19 antibody testing for all successful donors. Donors will be required to wear a mask. Participants waiting outside of their vehicle will be required to follow social distance guidelines.

Blood Donations Needed Now

Donate June 15-30, 2020, and pick up a T-shirt as a thank you for helping to save lives.
Visit giveblood.org to schedule your appointment.
The Blood Center is now requiring that donors wear a mask or face covering when at a blood drive. In the case that you do not have one, staff will offer you one.
All successful blood donors will receive a FREE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST. (This test is authorized by the FDA only for detecting the presence of antibodies against SARS-Co V-2, and is not intended for diagnosis of COVID-19.)
Township’s Coronavirus Page
The Woodlands Township’s COVID-19 page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page features Montgomery and Harris county Hubs, community resources and news from the Federal Government and the CDC. It also includes the latest news from The Township, partner agencies, important links, FAQs, live Twitter feeds and more.