TEXARKANA, Texas - What exactly does Bowie County's shelter in place order mean? Here are the answers to common questions, based on the text of the order.
What does shelter in place mean?
Residents may leave their homes only for essential activities. Gatherings outside the home are prohibited. All nonessential businesses must cease operations, except minimum base operations. No nonessential travel will be allowed.
Who is affected?
All residents of Bowie County, Texas.
When does the order take effect, and how long will it be in place?
The order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 27, and will remain in effect until 12 a.m. April 13.
How will the order be enforced, and what is the penalty for disregarding it?
Local law enforcement agencies will enforce the order. Noncompliance will be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days of incarceration.
What is considered an essential activity?
Essential activities include:
- tasks essential to health and safety, such as obtaining medication, seeing a doctor or obtaining supplies needed to work from home
- obtaining household supplies such as food
- engaging in outdoor exercise such as walking, running or riding a bicycle
- working for an essential business
What is considered an essential business?
Essential businesses include:
- health care providers
- grocery stores and other places where food is sold, as well as liquor stores
- food cultivation, including farming, livestock and fishing
- businesses that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need
- newspapers, television, radio and other media services
- gas stations and auto supply and repair shops
- banks and related financial institutions
- hardware and construction supply stores
- plumbers, electricians, exterminators and other businesses that maintain safety in residences and essential businesses
- mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
- laundromats and dry cleaners
- restaurants and other businesses that prepare and serve food, for delivery or takeout only
- businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home
- businesses that supply or support other essential businesses
- businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences
- airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers of services necessary for essential activities
- home-based care for seniors, adults or children
- residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults and children
- professional services such as legal, accounting, insurance and real estate
- childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in the order to work as permitted
- most government services, including utilities, trash collection, law enforcement and firefighters, and animal shelters;
- janitorial and maintenance services, funeral industry, defense industry, space and technology, technology support, and scientific research
- religious services in residences, in health care facilities, at funerals or provided online while being broadcast from a religious facility
What are minimum base operations?
- the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business' inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or related functions
- the minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees working remotely
What is considered essential travel?
Essential travel includes:
- travel related to provision or access to essential activities, essential government functions, essential businesses or minimum base operations
- travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other vulnerable people
- travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, receiving meals and related services
- travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction
- travel required by law enforcement or court order
- travel required for nonresidents to return to their place of residence outside the county
Bowie County residents are allowed to travel to and from work at nonessential businesses outside the county.
Are other orders and recommendations still in place?
Yes. Both Texarkanas are under a mandatory 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. Texarkana, Arkansas, and Miller County residents are asked to limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer. All public health guidelines to help stop the spread of the virus - including social distancing and frequent hand washing - remain important.