Update: McKinney City Council voted to extend the order through April 3 during a March 27 emergency council meeting.
Originally posted 1:29 p.m. March 26
The city of McKinney issued a shelter-in-place order March 25 that will remain in effect from March 26-April 1 unless it is extended by the city.
The order requires all residents to stay in their homes unless they are leaving for essential activities, which are defined below.
“I am convinced that the risks of underreacting are so much greater than the risks of overreacting, and although we hope for the best, we must be prudent and plan for the worst,” Mayor George Fuller said in a March 25 news release. “It is going to take all of us, working together, to ensure that we put the health and safety of our community above all else, and I have no doubt that is what we will do.”
Fuller said that the document is substantially consistent with orders issued over the past week by Dallas, Tarrant and Denton counties. It also incorporates part of Collin County’s order, which was issued Tuesday.
The following are answers to some commonly asked questions regarding the city order.
Where am I allowed to go?
- To access medical care, such as dentists, doctors, etc.
- To grocery stores, pet or home supply stores to purchase essential needs
- To pick up food from restaurants
- To engage in outdoor activities if the social distancing requirement of 6 feet is met
- To care for family members or pets at another household
- To work at an essential business
What is an essential business?
- Government work
- Healthcare
- Infrastructure
- Restaurants
- Retailers
- Suppliers
- News media
- Childcare
- Nonprofits and social services
What activities are not allowed during this time?
- In-person religious gatherings
- Elective medical procedures, including surgical and dental work
- Social gatherings of more than 10 people (does not prohibit the gathering of members of a household)
- Dining in at bars and restaurants
- Visiting nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance
What are the penalties of violating the order?
- $1,000 fine for each violation
Will I be stopped by the police to see if I am violating the order during this time?
- No, McKinney police officers will not contact community members solely to determine if their travel violates the order, but traffic violations will still be enforced.
Where can I report a possible violation of the order?
- To make a complaint, a person can contact the city’s code services department at 972-547-7400 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- To make a call outside of regular business hours, a person can call the nonemergency public safety number at 972-547-2700.
What if I have more questions regarding the order?
- The city has created a hotline for residents that will be staffed from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays.
- Residents can call 972-547-9000 or email [email protected] with questions.
This is not a comprehensive list. For more information, view the complete order here.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include more information from the city.
