Fort Worth council members voice frustration with Abbott’s coronavirus plan for Texas
The Fort Worth City Council voted Wednesday to mirror Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to reopen the state amid the coronavirus outbreak, but some council members made it clear they didn’t support the governor’s plan.
Abbott on Monday said Texas businesses will reopen in three phases. On Friday, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, retail stores and more will be able to open doors to 25% occupancy. He declared his edict supersedes local orders, which have often been stricter than his, effectively forcing Fort Worth to follow along.
That didn’t sit well with some City Council members.
While the city has no choice, Councilwoman Kelly Allen Gray said it was up to each council member to voice their reservations about Abbott’s plan.
“I want to applaud the small businesses, the libraries, the museums and also the people who have said we are not reopening under these guidelines because there is not a safe way for us to protect our patrons,” she said.
Gray and Councilwoman Gyna Bivens voted against the order in protest.
Councilwoman Ann Zadeh said she was concerned about reopening Fort Worth because there has not been 14 days of sustained decline in new coronavirus cases. Evidence of the virus spreading slower has been a key recommendation from health experts who say officials must prove the outbreak is under control before they weaken restrictions.
Zadeh said she voted in favor of the order because Fort Worth had move forward with Abbott, but wanted people to know they should stay home.
“I will continue to encourage folks to be following the medical experts’ recommendations for the foreseeable future,” Zadeh said.
While many restaurants and stores are cautiously preparing to reopen, museums across Fort Worth have said they will remain closed. Many said they needed to form plans to open without risking the health of visitors.
Fort Worth’s order allows police to issue a $500 citation to anyone found in violation.
Councilman Cary Moon called the fine excessive, noting that most traffic tickets are significantly less. He said future orders should decrease the fine. Police Chief Ed Kraus said the amount of the fine was not an issue for officers, who have the discretion to not write a ticket. Establishing a fine gave officers and alternative to arresting people, he said.
Tarrant County commissioners decided Tuesday not to put their own order in effect, to avoid creating confusion with the governor’s order.
This story was originally published April 29, 2020 at 4:36 PM.
