Dallas County Administrative Judge Asks Texas Governor to Issue New Shelter-In-Place Mandate

In a letter on Saturday, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins asked Gov. Greg Abbott to enact a statewide shelter-in-place order as the county continues to see increasing numbers of reported COVID-19 cases.

Jenkins presented a variety of policies he believes would mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and asked Abbott to either implement the suggestions or allow local authorities to enact them.

“I made my peace early on during this crisis to always follow the science and our public health experts. I recommend that you enact these requirements statewide, or at the very least, regionally,” Jenkins said. 

“If not, please rescind your prior order restricting local control and allow Dallas County to implement the above recommendations in an effort to slow the spread of the rampant and devastating COVID-19 virus.”

Among the county judge’s recommendations were mandatory “universal masking/physical distancing that is enforced with fines statewide or at least regionally,” a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, a prohibition on indoor dining at restaurants, the closure of any “social venues or activities” that are not able to strictly enforce coronavirus precautions, as well as other requirements.

While the number of reported cases is increasing in Dallas County and elsewhere across Texas, delays in reporting positive tests and deaths could be giving the impression that the virus is spreading more rapidly than it is.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages facial coverings, frequent hand washing, cleaning commonly used surfaces, avoiding large gatherings, and closely monitoring for coronavirus symptoms.

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