A message from La Marque City Manager Tink Jackson 3-21-2020

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order went into effect at midnight last night. That Order basically reiterated the Order issued by Mayor Hocking on Wednesday. Guidance related to the Order is included below this statement. 

We continue to monitor this rapidly changing emergency situation closely. Our primary focus remains on the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and staff. 

City leadership has been saying for weeks now that our quickest path to recovery is for us to all work together to take care of each other. That means following the emergency orders issued at the state and local level. That means following the CDC guidelines. That means supporting our local businesses in any way we can. That means putting aside selfish desires to protect everyone around you, even those you don’t know. We are going to defeat this invisible enemy and we are going to have to do it together. 

God Bless each of you, and May He continue to use the City of La Marque as an example for all during these difficult days.

In answer to all questions in regard to Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19 in Texas :

The Executive Orders issued related to COVID-19 mitigation in Texas are effective statewide as of midnight on March 20, 2020, and end at midnight on April 3, 2020, unless extended. 

These orders to aid in the state’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Texas — and to save lives — are in accordance with federal guidelines issued by the President and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which include avoiding social gatherings of 10 or more people, practicing social distancing of 6 feet, and employing frequent, thorough hand washing, and surface disinfecting. 

It is important to note that these orders do not mandate sheltering in place. 

We want and need businesses to continue operating. Offices and workplaces may remain open, but employers should only require essential employees to report to the place of work and should, where feasible, allow and encourage employees to work from home or other remote sites.

Employees who do go to work should also practice good hygiene as well as best health practices to minimize exposure to and transmission of COVID-19.

The more Texans do to reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 will be contained, and the sooner these Executive Orders will expire.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to churches and houses of worship?

• Churches and houses of worship are not social gatherings. Places of worship are especially important in times of great community and personal need. 
• We rely on all local and community leaders to prioritize the health of those they serve and to protect public health. 
• Churches are capable of engaging in social distancing and the recommended hygiene and sanitizing standards. 
• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, individual churches, congregations and houses of worship may determine their own operating hours and service offerings. Many are already offering services online. 

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to daycare centers?

• Daycare centers are critical to working Texas families, and the State deems them an essential service. 
• We rely on daycare operators to prioritize the health of the children and families they serve and to protect public health. 
• Because peace of mind is critical for parents when it comes to their childcare needs, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services has issued strict standards for daycare operations to protect the health of the children, families and communities served.
• As long as the HHS guidelines are strictly followed, daycare centers and licensed individual providers may continue operating. 
• And the State of Texas has identified expanding daycare options like a high priority, especially for essential workers such as healthcare professionals.  

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to all private businesses?

• We rely on all businesses to prioritize the health of their employees and their customers and to protect public health. 
• We want and need businesses to continue operating. Offices and workplaces may remain open, but employers should only require essential employees to report to the place of work and should, where feasible, allow and encourage employees to work from home or other remote sites.
• Employees who do go to work should also practice good hygiene as well as best health practices to minimize exposure to and transmission of COVID-19.
• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, private businesses may determine their own operating hours and service offerings. 
• For common work areas or lunchrooms, businesses must follow federal guidelines: no groups of 10 or more people, allow social distancing of 6 feet, and ensure frequent, thorough hand washing and surface disinfecting.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to all public and private schools from PreK through elementary, high school, community college and university? 

• Yes. All schools in Texas are temporarily closed through April 3, 2020, or later if extended by order. 
• STAAR testing requirements have been waived for this school year. 
• However, learning is not suspended. Schools are encouraged to offer online and other distance-learning options.
• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing guidance to public school districts.
• TEA has created a Texas Students MealFinder Map. [need to find direct live link]
• The Higher Education Coordinating Board is providing guidance to public institutions of higher education. 
• Questions should be directed to local school districts, community college districts or university systems. 

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders closing bars and dine-in restaurants apply to walk-in pickups or the drive-through at restaurants?

• No. 
• We rely on all businesses to prioritize the health of their employees and their customers and to protect public health. 
• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed — no groups of 10 or more people, allowing social distancing of 6 feet, and ensuring frequent, thorough hand washing and surface disinfecting — restaurants may offer walk-in pickups and drive-through service.
• And we continue to evaluate the best public health practices. 

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to salons, barbers and hairstylists?

• No. 
• We rely on all businesses to prioritize the health of their employees and their customers and to protect public health. 
• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, private businesses may determine their own operating hours and service offerings. 
• While maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is difficult for personal services businesses such as salons, barbers and hairstylists, all other precautions can and should be taken by customers and service professionals.
• We continue to evaluate the best public health practices.  

The Governor’s Executive Orders apply to gyms. Do they also apply to personal trainers? 

• No. 
• We rely on all businesses to prioritize the health of their employees and their customers and to protect public health. 
• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, private businesses may determine their own operating hours and service offerings.
• While maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is difficult for personal services businesses such as personal fitness training, all other precautions can and should be taken by customers and service professionals.
• We continue to evaluate the best public health practices. 

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to weddings and funerals?

• Even in times of emergency, it is important that we mark important milestones and celebrate as a family. 
• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed — no groups of 10 or more people, which can be fulfilled through the separation of groups and allowing social distancing of 6 feet, while ensuring frequent, thorough hand washing, and surface disinfecting –— wedding and funerals can be held.
• Sharing services online is also encouraged.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to dentists or other medical providers?

• No. Medical health services are essential.
• We rely on all medical providers to prioritize the health of their employees and their patients and to protect public health. 
• All federal and CDC guidelines should be followed.
• Dentists and medical providers may determine their own operating hours and service offerings. 

Closing:

Finally, these Executive Orders do not prohibit you from going to the grocery store, gas station or bank. 

All critical infrastructure will remain open and operational. Domestic travel will be unrestricted. Government entities and businesses will continue to provide essential services. And we want and need businesses to continue operating — safely.

Working together, we must defeat COVID-19 so that we can get back to work and enjoy the blessings of this great state. 

No one responds to challenges better than Texans. We are #TexasStrong.

A message from La Marque City Manager Tink Jackson 3-18-2020

As a city, we are facing an unprecedented issue. The COVID-19 virus has forced us to take a hard look at many of our standard practices and traditional social norms. We want to ensure our citizens we are doing everything we can to be proactive both locally and regionally to keep our citizens, employees and visitors safe. Out of an abundance of caution, and in response to coronavirus concerns, all city offices were closed to public interaction on Monday. 

Utility payments are being accepted at the City Hall drive-thru during normal business hours, online, at the payment kiosk, or in the drop box located near the drive-thru. All of these methods will keep citizens current on their payments. ALL essential city services are operating and your city employees are working very hard for you. All normal face-to-face city business can be conducted by calling 409-938-9200. 

We are asking all of our citizens to read and follow guidance being provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Information from the CDC is available on our website at http://cityoflamarque.org/600/COVID-19 which is accessible at this link or from our city website homepage. General minimal guidance includes: 

• Wash your hand frequently
• Maintain social distancing (a minimum of 6 feet) 
• Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people 
• Avoid touching your eyes and mouth 
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow 
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
• Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider 

We have additionally closed City facilities to public gatherings including the library, provided guidance for interactions between police officers and firefighters with the public, canceled all city public meetings and postponed the municipal court docket. Additional measures may be required in the immediate future. 

Our sister city of Galveston took additional measures today including closing restaurants, bars and amusement venues. Harris County has done the same. This is a very fluid situation and may require the City of La Marque to take additional action in the days and weeks to come. We will continue to constantly monitor information from the nation, region and Galveston County Health District and will make necessary decisions as new information becomes available. 

Many La Marque business owners have already implemented changes to their business models to accommodate CDC guidelines and regional practices. We appreciate their efforts to keep our citizens safe. 

We are sorry for any minor inconvenience these closures may cause and thank you for your patience as we work to help ensure the health of our citizens and employees.

Download: COVID Statement from City Manager Tink Jackson

A message from La Marque Police Chief Kirk Jackson 

I would like to take a moment to speak with the citizens of our community. Right now, our Nation is facing unprecedented circumstances with the Coronavirus pandemic. Today and every day, the La Marque Police Department’s foremost responsibility and priority is ensuring the safety of the public. 

The City of La Marque is closely monitoring this fluid event and we are adapting our procedures to better serve the citizens of our community. To mitigate the risk of exposure to citizens and Police Department staff, and promote the continuity of service, the police department is making some temporary changes to our normal operating procedures. 

When a citizen contacts the La Marque Police Department for police assistance, the Telecommunicator will take your information as normal. If the incident that you are reporting does not require evidence collection or if an officer is not immediately needed at your location, the Telecommunicator will ask if you would like to provide the information for the report over the phone. If so, the officer will call you and the preliminary information will be taken, and your report will be filed. 

Please know that the La Marque Police Department is here to serve our community. Together we will weather this storm and, in the end, will emerge stronger than ever before.      

Download: Letter to the citizens from Police Chief Kirk Jackson