It was announced today that as of 11:59 pm today, March 27, 2020, Orange County along with Jefferson, Jasper, Newton, Hardin, and Tyler Counties will begin a more stringent Stay at Home, Work Safe Order for all six counties.
What does the Stay Home, Work Safe Order mean for my Community?
Our communities play a vital part in helping us stem the spread of COVID-19. This overview is not intended to be a complete list of business types that are impacted. Please note that this order is intended to be narrowly interpreted. Violations are subject to fines and up to 180 days in jail. Please seek legal counsel if you are unsure if a certain business, service, or function is considered essential. Other than Health Care services, all physical contact between providers and customers should be completely avoided.
What is Open?
- Essential Government Functions
- Essential Businesses (see below)
- Restaurants that serve food by take out, delivery or drive-through
- Bars that serve food by take out, delivery or drive-through
- Micro-Breweries that serve food by take out, delivery or drive-through
- Micro-Distilleries that serve food by take out, delivery or drive-through
- Wineries that serve food by take out, delivery or drive-through
- Public Parks but not Playground Equipment
- Open Outdoor Recreation Areas
- Laundromats / Washaterias (while observing social distancing)
- Religious and Worship Services by Video, Teleconference, and Drive-In Type Services
What is closed, for now? (list is not exhaustive)
- Playground Equipment
- Gyms / Cross-Fit Facilities / Martial Arts Facilities
- Fitness Centers / Sports Training Facilities
- Public Swimming Pools and Splash Pads
- Sports and Recreation Training Facilities and Studios
- Hair and Nail Salons
- Spas
- Licensed Massage Businesses
- Tattoo Parlors
- Concert Halls
- Live Performance Theaters
- Arenas
- Stadiums
- Movie Theaters
- Game Rooms / Pool Halls
- Bowling Alleys
- Arcades
- Indoor and Outdoor Flea Markets and Swap Meets
- Indoor Malls, Unless the Individual Store has an Outside Entrance
- Bingo Halls
- Tanning Salons
- Buses and any Other Forms of Public Transportation, including Worksite Busing
- Picnics, Barbeques, Sand-Bar/Beach Parties or any Social Gatherings including more than 10 people
- Outdoor Burning of Debris or Waste
Essential Activities are:
- Performing tasks essential to health and safety, including: obtaining medication or visiting a healthcare professional
- Obtaining supplies or services or delivery of those to others, including: food, pet supplies, household products, work from home supplies
- Engaging in outdoor activity, while keeping social distancing
- Performing work providing essential products and services to an essential business
- Caring for a family member or pet in another household.
Essential Businesses include:
- Critical Infrastructure as identified by the US Department of Homeland Security National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Essential Government Functions including law enforcement, and other services for the health, safety and welfare of the public
- Essential Healthcare Operations including hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, mental health providers, blood banks, home and residential based care for seniors, adults and children, veterinary and animal welfare operations, transportation for healthcare patients
- Essential Retail including grocery stores, warehouse stores, gas stations, convenience stores, food producers and service providers
- Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations
- Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses including: trash and recycling collection, mail and shipping services, building maintenance and security, and funeral homes
- News Media including Newspaper delivery services
- Childcare and Adult Care Services
- Infrastructure, Development, Operation and Construction Services including public works construction, housing construction, commercial, manufacturing, oil refining, roads and highways, and telecommunications systems
- Transportation Businesses including car dealerships, parts distributors, maintenance and repair facilities, gas stations
- Labor Union Functions
- All Marine Ports
- Airports and related operations
- Professional services including legal, banking and financial institutions, accounting, insurance, and real estate services.
- Other businesses that are not listed but either are or support critical industries or services.
The following information from the Southeast Texas Regional Emergency Operations Center summarizes activities and developments related to COVID-19 in Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Orange, and Tyler counties:
Positive for COVID-19 – 19 total
- Hardin County – 6
- Lumberton – 3
- Silsbee – 3
- Jefferson County – 12
- Beaumont – 8
- Groves – 1
- Port Arthur – 3
- Orange County – 1
- Mauriceville – 1
Confirmed COVID-19 Fatalities – 1
- Hardin County – 1
Total calls received by Call Center – 1,192
- 399 have been referred for testing (since call center opened on 3/20)
- 57 were tested at the drive-through site today
The Call Center will continue to be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are experiencing symptoms (fever, dry cough, shortness of breath) or you believe you have been exposed to an infected individual, you can call 409-550-2536 to be evaluated for testing.
If you are looking for information about COVID-19, please do not call the Call Center. You can call 211 option 6 or visit SETINFO.ORG.
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