Harris County Reimposing Lockdown: Stay at Home Order In Place

"Harris County moves to Level 1, which means COVID-19 is "severe & "uncontrolled."

Harris County has moved to the highest possible threat level for COVID-19 rates, as such, Judge Lina Hidalgo of Harris County has issued a new Stay Home Work Safe Advisory effective at noon on June 26.

The Red Level 1 means that there is a severe and uncontrolled "level of COVID-19, meaning outbreaks are prsent and worsening and that testing and contact tracting capacity is strained or exceeded." [Dr. Umair Shah]

Under the new advisory, the Harris County public is advised to:

• "Stay home and only leave for essential needs like grocery and medicine shopping
• Avoid and cancel gatherings of any size
• Essential workers practice special precautions to prevent the spread.
• All vunerable [65+, pre-esisting health conditions] individuals stay home.
• Self-quarantine for 14 days if in close and prolonged contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Wear face coverings to protect others.
• Avoid non-essential business and personal travel, and public transportation.
• Cancel nursing home visits, or long term care facilities and hospital visits.
• Avoid and cancel outdoor gatherings like concerts, rodeos, large sporting events, etc. Schools and youth activities as directed by educational authorities."

Gov. Abbott is also ordering bars to close at noon on June 26, and restaurants are reduced to 50% capacity.

Hidalgo said that the state is not allowing counties to enforce orders so she urges the public to follow these guidelines because "Harris County is now the hotspot and one of the hardest hit in the world, this pandemic is like an invisible hurricane." [KHOU-11]

Hidalgo stresses the importance of wearing masks, and that everyone should be doing their part to look out for each other, and remaining six feet apart. She blames the state for reopening too quickly, and says we need to "bring down the curve and be smarter about how we reopen."

The state has reported about 6,000 new cases on Thursday for the third straight day.

SOURCE: KHOU-11