Signed Order Impacting Restaurants & Other Establishments [PDF]
Signed Order Extending Disaster Mar 17 [PDF]
Order Impacting Restaurants and other Establishments
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, a Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency was issued to allow Fort Bend County to take measures to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 and promote the health and safety of Fort Bend County residents; and
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, the COVID-19 virus is contagious and spreads through person-to-person contact, especially in group settings; and
Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends an “All of Community” approach focused on slowing the transmission of COVID-19 through social distancing to reduce illness and death, while minimizing social and economic impacts; and
Whereas, due to the substantial risks to the public, the following extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public.
NOW THEREFORE, I, COUNTY JUDGE FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 418, HEREBY FIND AND 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. Effective as of 12:01 a.m., March 18, 2020, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2020, unless the conditions necessitating the extension of the declaration of the local disaster for public health emergency no longer exist:
(a) Restaurants and other establishments that serve food, with or without drive-in or drive-through services and microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law,
(b) All bars, adult entertainment establishments and other business establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food shall close, including nightclubs, lounges, taverns, arcades, private clubs, athletic facilities and gyms.
SECTION 3: That the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office, and other peace officers, are hereby authorized to enforce this order.
SECTION 4: Fort Bend 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 this order.
SECTION 5: This Order applies to all unincorporated and incorporated areas within the boundaries of Fort Bend County.
ORDERED this the 17th day of March, 2020.
_______________________
KP George, County Judge
ATTEST:
_______________________
Laura Richard, County Clerk
Order Extending Disaster Declaration
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF FORT BEND §
EXTENSION OF DECLARATION LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ORDER
WHEREAS, on the 12th day of March, 2020, the County Judge issued a proclamation declaring a local state of disaster for Public Health Emergency for Fort Bend County, Texas to take extraordinary measures to contain COVID-19 and prevent its spread throughout Fort Bend County;and,
WHEREAS, the conditions necessitating the declaration of a local state of disaster for public health emergency continue to exist beyond the maximum period of seven (7) days permitted without the consent of the governing body under the County Judge’s declaration authority;and
WHEREAS,the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, as its governing body, need to continue the order of a local state of disaster for public health emergency through March 24, 2020, period of seven days pursuant to §418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code; and,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT of FORT BEND COUNTY:
- That the local state of disaster ordered for Fort Bend County, Texas, by the County Judge on March 12, 2020, shall further continue through March 24, 2020, by subsequent order of the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court.
- This order is passed as an emergency measure pursuant §418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code and shall become effective on the 17th day of March, 2020.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 17th day of March, 2020.
_______________________
KP George, County Judge
ATTEST:
_______________________
Laura Richard, County Clerk