Dallas, Dallas County at odds when it comes to how long coronavirus restrictions will last
Dallas County is splitting with the city of Dallas when it comes to temporary restrictions on social gatherings due to the coronavirus, extending the measures until April 3 as opposed to April 29.
The decision by a majority of county commissioners on Thursday also went against the advice of Judge Clay Jenkins, who had wanted restrictions to be extended another month, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.
Jenkins issued a mandate Monday suspending dine-service at restaurants and bars as well as limiting social gatherings to no more than nine people. Commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to extend the declaration until April 3, a spokesperson for Jenkins’ office said on Friday.
A mandate from a county judge has to be renewed by commissioners after seven days, the spokesperson said.
Jenkins had hoped Dallas County commissioners would extend the restrictions for a month, the Dallas Morning News reported, but they went against him during court.
Commissioners reportedly indicated they weren’t opposed to pushing the restrictions past April 3 but wanted to first look harder at the economic impact and listen to comments from community members.
Their decision came in the hours after Dallas County reported its first death related to the coronavirus on Thursday. A Richardson man in his 60s was found dead in his home and did not have any high-risk chronic medical conditions, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Dallas County reported 19 cases of coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing its total of confirmed cases to 74. There have been 29 confirmed cases in Tarrant County.
Fort Worth and Dallas have issued measures capping gatherings at 50 people, closing entertainment venues and suspended dine-in options at restaurants and bars.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a sweeping executive order on Thursday closing all schools until April 3, prohibiting dining-in at bars and restaurants and limiting social gatherings to 10 people or less.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 12:40 PM.
