City of Fort Worth
Fort Worth’s “Stay at Home, Work Safe” order essentially follows the same guidelines: stay home at all costs, unless it’s of absolute necessity you leave.
Mayor Betsy Price followed suit Tuesday morning after Dallas County’s shelter-in-place order went into effect, limiting social gatherings and nonessential travel in the city of Fort Worth to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Fort Worth’s “Stay at Home, Work Safe” order, in effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday and running through April 3, essentially follows the same guidelines: stay home at all costs, unless it’s of absolute necessity you leave. All are encouraged to work from home, and only establishments deemed “essential” (grocery stores, restaurants with takeout, daycares) may remain open.
Price was joined by Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, who said his city will be invoking a similar order to Fort Worth’s. Both were joined by local hospital executives as they forewarned that while Tarrant County has 5,300 hospital beds, upward to 12,000 could require care if no action is taken by local leaders.
“This is about flattening the curve, so we don’t overwhelm our hospital systems,” Price says. “Y’all stay safe. Y’all stay healthy. Y’all stay home.”
The local measures come following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s refusal to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order, citing that more than 50 counties do not have any confirmed coronavirus cases.
Price urged the city not to panic or hoard groceries beyond simply what they need, and clarified this measure is necessary for a city of more than 900,000 individuals.
“We know that urban communities are denser in population and people are at greater risk of significant spikes for the transmission of this virus,” Price says. “We are all going to get through this together.”
Tarrant County’s hotline established for coronavirus questions and concerns is 817-248-6299.
Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Source: Tarrant County Public Health
