FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2020

Contact: Jessica Beemer (832) 393-3008

"Stay Home, Work Safe" Order Issued for Harris County Residents
 
Hous ton, TX - Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin would like to make residents aware that earlier today Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a "Stay Home, Work Safe" Order to further contain the spread of COVID-19 in Houston and Harris County. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, March 24 and will last until Friday, April 3, unless modified. The official order can be viewed here. 

This order requires individuals to remain at home or a place of residence, with exceptions for essential work and activities. Businesses in the critical infrastructure sectors identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) can remain open. These sectors include C hemical, Commercial Facilities, Communications, Critical Manufacturing, Dams, Defense Industrial Base, Emergency Services, Energy, Financial Services, Food and Agriculture, Government Facilities, Healthcare & Public Health, Information Technology, Nuclear, Transportation Systems, and Waste & Wastewater Systems. Childcare to support these industries is still permissible.

Essential businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations will remain open. Restaurants may continue food takeout and delivery services, while bars and nightclubs will remain closed per Mayor Sylvester's emergency order announced on March 16. C ity and county parks will also remain open, but residents are encouraged to maintain social distancing practices, such as: 
  • Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.
  • Maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other people.
  • Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts - use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
  • Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
  • Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical care situations.
Residents are also encouraged to practice good hygiene habits, such as:
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when you can't wash your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, use the elbow of your sleeve.
  • Don't use your hands to cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially if you are at higher risk for Coronavirus.
  • Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
  • Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.

For updated information about local risk, routine protective actions, frequently asked questions, communication resources, rumor control, emergency preparedness tips and more, please visit: https://houstonemergency.org/covid19. 


Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like to thank District E residents for their cooperation to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout our communities. Times are tough and we are truly making the best of them.

For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov . 

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