LLANO COUNTY PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
COVID-19 (New Coronavirus)
MARCH 25, 2020
Llano, TX- At 10:00 AM today, the Llano County Local Health Authority (LHA), Dr. Jack Franklin notified Llano County Judge, Ron Cunningham and Horseshoe Bay Mayor, Dr. Cynthia Clinesmith that there are now TWO confirmed COVID-19 cases in Llano County.
The second confirmed individual is a relative of the first confirmed case in Llano County (on 3/24/2020), is also travel-related on the same trip, and therefore, Llano County remains in Phase 3 (No Person-to-Person Spread) of our phased approach.
Both individuals self-quarantined immediately upon returning from their trip and remain in quarantine at this time.
As of this time, DSHS is reporting that 13,235 tests have been conducted in the state of Texas with at least 974 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Texas and 12 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19.
For additional information regarding Llano County’s preparation and response, please see www.co.llano.tx.us or contact Emergency Management Coordinator- Gilbert Bennett at 325-247-2039 or email at gbennett@co.llano.tx.us.
DSHS has additional information on the COVID-19 for the public, health care professionals, health departments and labs at www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus
ORDER BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF LLANO COUNTY
Whereas, on March 13, 2020, a Declaration of State of Disaster was issued by Governor Abbott to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and welfare of Texans; and
Whereas, On March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission; and
Whereas, On March 18, 2020, a Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency was issued to allow Llano County to take measures to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 and promote the health and safety of Llano County residents; and
Whereas, On March 19, 2020, an Executive Order was issued by Governor Abbott promulgating guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding: social gatherings; patronage of locations serving food and beverages as well as licensed massage businesses and gyms; limiting access to nursing homes or retirement facilities or long-term care facilities to individuals providing critical assistance; and temporarily closes schools.
NOW THEREFORE, I, COUNTY JUDGE FOR THE COUNTY OF LLANO, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 418, HEREBY ORDER:
SECTION 1. That the findings and recitations set out in the preamble to this Order are found to be true and correct and they are hereby adopted by the County Judge and made a part hereof for all purposes.
SECTION 2. This Order shall be read to comply with Executive Order No. GA-08 signed on March 19, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which: prohibits gatherings of groups of 10 or more people; closes gyms and licensed massage businesses; prohibits visitation to nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance; and temporarily closes schools.
SECTION 3. This Order is effective upon signing and continues until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, unless terminated, extended, or modified by an earlier order, the County Judge of Llano County, Texas, deems it in the public interest to order that:
(a)
Subject to this Order, dining on the premises of Food Establishments located in Llano County or dining on the premises of businesses that have City of Llano, City of Sunrise Beach or City of Horseshoe Bay permits to operate as Food Establishments, shall cease on March 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Nothing herein precludes the provision of any other food service, such as to-go, take out, or delivery services, by such businesses.
(b)
Food Establishments, with or without drive-in or drive-through services and food court dining areas, microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries, may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law.
(c)
This order does not apply to the following:
1.
hospitals, long term medical care facilities, rehabilitation or medical facilities, child care facilities, group homes, crisis and homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, retirement communities, congregate care facilities, long term care facilities, jails and detention facilities; and
2.
food banks serving low income citizens and nonprofits providing food to the homeless and the economically disadvantaged.
(d)
Consuming alcoholic beverages within the enclosed premises of any Food Establishment or bar shall cease on March 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Businesses within Llano County that have permits to operate as bars, nightclubs, lounges, taverns, or private clubs shall close, unless the business is also permitted to operate as a Food Establishment and such operation shall be limited as provided herein. Hotel and golf club bars must close, except that any permitted food or beverage service, including alcoholic beverages, may be continued as take out, delivery, or drive-through services. Additionally, hotels may provide room service. Nothing in this order affects the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption as permitted by State or local law.
(e)
Food Establishments which choose to remain open in accordance with Section 3(a) above (such as to-go, take out, or delivery services) must take steps to enforce a 6-foot distancing among the public they are servicing.
SECTION 4: Pursuant to Annex G, Section V(C)(3) and Appendix 9 to Annex U of the Emergency Management Plan of Llano County adopted by Llano County Commissioners Court on March 20, 2020, and in accordance with Tex. Gov’t Code § 418.173, any law enforcement agency based or sent to assist in Llano County is hereby authorized to enforce this order, and the failure to comply with this Order is an offense and is punishable by a fine that does not exceed $1,000.00 or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days.
SECTION 5: Llano County will post this Order on its website. In addition, the owner, manager, or operator of any facility that is likely to be impacted by this Order is strongly encouraged to post a copy of this Order onsite and to provide a copy to any member of the public asking for a copy. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Order.
SECTION 6: This Order applies to all unincorporated and incorporated areas within the boundaries of Llano County and in accordance with TGC 418.108 of the Texas Disaster Act, supersedes and replaces any order issued by the Cities of Sunrise Beach, Llano, and Horseshoe Bay until April 3, 2020 at 11:59 PM.
ORDERED this the 20th day of March, 2020, at 3:00pm in Llano County, Texas.
Ron Cunningham
Llano County Judge