Dallas County closes bars, theaters, gyms and other businesses due to coronavirus
Dallas County has closed many non-essential businesses to prevent the spread of coronavirus, officials announced Monday.
Officials announced the closures for the city of Dallas at about 4:30 p.m., and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced the closures would be countywide at a 5 p.m. press conference.
Bars, gyms, health clubs, dine-in restaurants, theaters and commercial amusement businesses must close as of 11:59 p.m. Monday, City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Mayor Eric Johnson said during the city’s press conference.
Restaurants can remain open, but only for take-out or drive-thru services. Gatherings, either private or public, of more than 50 people are prohibited.
In the county press conference, Jenkins urged Gov. Greg Abbott to adopt similar measures statewide.
“We need our governor and our regional partners to come together,” Jenkins said. “The only way to do that is through the state. We need the state to come in and lay out parameters.”
Dallas police and code enforcement will enforce regulations in the city, Broadnax said.
“The fight against this disease will require some sacrifice,” Johnson said. “But what I know about this city, which I’ve called home my entire life, is that Dallas does not bow to fear. Ever.”
The regulations are set for seven days, but city council will vote on Wednesday to either extend or end the declaration for the city of Dallas.
Johnson said the decision to close Dallas businesses is “gut-wrenching” but necessary for public health.
“This is a decision that kept me up all night,” Johnson said. “I lost a lot of sleep over this. I am deeply moved by what I know is going to happen to our local economy that we have worked so hard to build in this city. We are only doing this because we genuinely think it is going to save lives.”
Jenkins said two testing sites were set to open in the county, one in Grand Prairie and one at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Those centers will be able to test about 2,500 each per week, but the tests may be “reserved for people over 65, the health community and first responders,” Jenkins said.
As of Monday, Dallas County had reported 19 cases of coronavirus, two of which might be from community spread, Dallas County Health and Human Services director Philip Huang said at the press conference.
“These are the social distancing measures that need to occur earlier than later,” Huang said.
Officials also announced Dallas ISD schools will be closed indefinitely and will move to online learning starting March 23.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 5:11 PM.
