Waller County Judge Trey Duhon issued a declaration of emergency related to the coronavirus March 18, according to a Facebook post. This declaration will be in place for no more than seven days unless extended by the Commissioners Court.
“Although Waller County does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 at this moment, we anticipate that will change in the coming days,” Duhon said in a press release shared via Facebook. “Given the threat this virus presents to our public health, we should be prepared to protect our residents in Waller County.”
According to the declaration, the county’s emergency management plan has been implemented, and event organizers are encouraged to cancel or postpone events that will have 50 or more people.
The release advised informal gatherings of 10 or more people should also be avoided, but the county is not requiring restaurants or bars to close.
Additional guidance, per the release, for restaurants include to:
- reduce the number of tables;
- maintain a distance of at least 10 feet between tables;
- allow no more than four people to a table;
- utilize partitions between tables if possible;
- reduce total capacity to less than 50 people;
- clean and sanitize all common surfaces frequently;
- require employees to stay home if they feel ill; and
- provide delivery and takeout options to customers.
Additionally, the Waller County Sheriff’s Office and Waller County district attorney have started a program to help pick up and deliver items to homebound Waller County citizens.
