The Dallas County issued a shelter-in-place order effective March 23 through April 3 for all county residents. The order recommends individuals remain in their home during this time, except for “essential activities, businesses and work related travel.”
Below are examples of “essential” businesses open.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
- Police stations
- Fire stations
- Hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations
- Jails; courts
- Garbage/sanitation
- Recycling
- Transportation including DART
- Utilities (water, power and gas)
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
- Hospitals and clinics
- Dentists
- Chiropractor offices
- Optometry offices
- Pharmacies
- Healthcare suppliers
- Mental health and substance abuse service providers
- Blood banks
FOOD
- Grocery stores
- Farmers markets
- Food banks
- Convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Take-out, drive-through, and delivery restaurants
SCHOOLS
- Public and private educational institutions, only for the purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions.
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
- Hardware stores
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Cleaning services
- Others who provide services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and essential businesses.
ANIMAL SERVICES
- Veterinary care
- Pet food and supply stores
- Grooming if necessary for the health of the animal
- Pet daycare, but only for employees of essential businesses
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
- Depository lenders, such as banks and credit unions can operate. Non-depository lenders, such as payday lenders, must close.
- Payroll services can also continue
CHILDCARE SERVICES
- Only for employees of essential businesses who are exempted from the Order.
- Must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer each day.
- No interchanging of groups of children.
- More than one group is at a facility, then each group must be in a separate room (no mixing of groups).
- Each provider must stay with only one group and not change.
OTHER ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES:
- Laundromats/laundry services
- Gas stations
- Hotels, motels, rentals, and similar facilities
- Cemeteries and funeral services
- Churches can conduct services via teleconference
- On-demand service or a taxi, but only for essential travel. Do your best to take social distancing precautions: cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands before and after rides, etc.
- Moving is allowed but is generally discouraged.
WALKING OUTSIDE
• At this time there is no requirement, however, residents should practice social distancing of six feet.
