The El Paso Department of Public Health issued a series of new orders this week in response to the growing COVID-19 outbreak.
The City of El Paso has decided to shut down all bars, lounges, taverns, arcades and private clubs and reduce services from restaurants and other public businesses. Additionally, the City Council issued guidance and restrictions for assisted living facilities and daycare centers in El Paso.
According to the workplace order, businesses must have workers work from home wherever possible and encourages workers to stay home if they are feeling sick. Critical workers who stay at work must stay 6 feet from each other, and employers must stagger work schedules and limit in-person meetings. The order also expands sick leave policies for parents who need to stay at home because of school closures.
Orders are also providing new directives for daycares and assisted living centers. Daycares are to limit 20 people in a room at any given time, stagger lunch breaks, and pick-up/drop-off must happen outside of the building. Assisted living centers are required to take the temperature of all residents and attendees coming into the building, report and monitor COVID-19 symptoms, and staff are required to wear masks and wash their hands when entering or leaving patients' rooms.
Local El Paso businesses are reserving specifically scheduled shopping times for senior citizens and those who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.
As of March 31, Texas has reported 3,266 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 41 deaths.
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