Omar E. Zapata | THE RIDER
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez lifted the Aug. 19 shelter-at-home order and has implemented new protections that are in place until Sunday.
“Although our numbers are trending downward, COVID-19 continues to impact our community and remains a dangerous threat,” Cortez said in a news release Sept. 12. “After much consideration, I have decided to lift the Shelter at Home mandate because I recognize the sacrifices made by those who have abided by this order. I also recognize that this restriction has caused some hardship with families.”
The new order, which took effect Sept. 14, still mandates a countywide curfew.
All people 18 years and older must comply with the 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. curfew unless they are out for a medical emergency, to provide covered essential services, essential travel, or any other purpose permitted under the order.
Cortez said he will continue using curfew as a tool to keep people, particularly younger people, off the streets during overnight hours.
The order states that all persons age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when participating in essential activities unless that person is out for a medical emergency, to provide covered essential services, essential travel, or any other purpose.
“This emergency order also takes into account a unique phenomenon for South Texas that many other parts of the state don’t necessarily contend with: the annual arrival of Winter Texans,” Cortez said in the news release.
He added some protections in regard to event organizers and popular gathering spots for Winter Texans.
The order states that event organizers holding events indoors, excluding church ceremony, are limited to 50% of the total listed occupancy of the facility. People at these events must still wear a face covering.
Hair/nail salons, gyms, bowling alleys and bingo halls must continue maintaining standard health protocols: physical distancing of six feet, sanitizing surfaces and equipment between uses, and providing hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water.
Movie theaters operating at 50% capacity must maintain at least two seats or six feet separation between groups in any row.
The order encourages all people 65 and older to stay at home as much as possible since they are a vulnerable population.
Hidalgo County still prohibits any outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people unless the mayor of the city or Cortez approves it.
The county is still enforcing face coverings when inside a commercial building, in a space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space.
A verbal or written warning is issued for first-time violators of the face covering mandate and an individual’s second violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive order GA-29. Each subsequent violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation.
To view the full order, please visit:
https://www.hidalgocounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/41008/County-Order-20-014.
