Dallas County extends stay-at-home order through May 15, but Abbott may overrule action
Dallas County extended its coronavirus pandemic stay-at-home order through May 15, two weeks beyond the statewide order from Gov. Greg Abbott.
Tuesday’s 3-2 vote by county commissioners could be overruled by Abbott. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, who cast one of the three votes to extend the order, said he’ll leave it up to the state to decide.
In a news conference Tuesday, Abbott said he plans to announce any updates on the statewide order, along with revised guidance on business reopenings.
The county has reported 64 COVID-19 deaths and 2,602 cases, including four deaths and 90 new cases on Tuesday.
“If I’m wrong, [the governor] will quickly tell us and tell us that we have to let everybody play pick-up basketball and do whatever they want to on April 30,” Jenkins said, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Jenkins and commissioners Elba Garcia and Theresa Daniel voted for the extension. Commissioners John Wiley Price and J.J. Koch voted against the order.
The state’s orders override powers of local entities if there are conflicts.
“To the extent that my executive order has statewide application, it would overrule any local jurisdiction determination about their executive order,” Abbott said Tuesday.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 4:16 PM.
