Montgomery County judge issues stay-at-home order and curfew

After initially announcing he would not issue a stay at home order, County Judge Mark Keough is following other area counties and a stay at home order for Montgomery County will go into effect at midnight Friday. less After initially announcing he would not issue a stay at home order, County Judge Mark Keough is following other area counties and a stay at home order for Montgomery County will go into effect at midnight ... more Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Montgomery County judge issues stay-at-home order and curfew 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

After initially announcing he would not issue a stay-at-home order regarding the new coronavirus, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough is following other area counties and a stay-at-home order will go into effect at midnight Friday.

The 19-page restrictive order will be in place through April 12.

Additionally, Keough is putting all residents under a curfew beginning each night at 11:59 p.m. through 6 a.m.

“Given the most recent information concerning the virus and the potential for loss of life for our county and our region, I am amending my original order to become the Montgomery County Stay at Home, Stop the Spread order,” Keough said in a statement. “Having surrounded myself with a team of experts, in health district, homeland security and emergency management, law enforcement, our district attorney, and many others, whose council I value, I have made decisions that have been patient and measured.”

Keough said all non-essential business must close at 11:15 p.m. Friday and remain closed through April 12. The order allows for businesses to remain open if employees can work from home.

Keough called his order “crystal clear” with information on what are essential businesses and services and confirming all grocery stores will remain open.

“Read this order,” he said. “We are not urging you; we are telling you; you must comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. Stay home if you don’t need to be out. This is not a time for vacation or social gatherings. Take this virus seriously.”

Keough initially issued a disaster declaration March 12 following the first COVID-19 case in Montgomery County. In the last week, the number of cases in the county increased to 41. The coronavirus, according to the Montgomery County Public Health Department, has spread to all parts of the county.

Stay at home, stop the spread

Public gatherings: All public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a single household or living unit are prohibited. The order does not affect court orders or agreement regarding child-related visitation or custody arrangements.

Parks: The order allows people to go to parks but closed all playgrounds.

Restaurants: Restaurants, bars, clubs, private clubs, mirco-breweries, micro-distilleries, wineries and other businesses that serve food or alcohol must stop all on premise consumption but may continue take, out, delivery and drive through services.

Gyms: Gyms, fitness centers and other facilities that are used or intended to be used for any type of training, martial arts, gymnastics, sports or recreation shall close.

Salons: Hair and nail salons, spas, licensed massage businesses, tattoo parlors, cosmetic businesses, barber shops, concert halls, live performance theaters, arenas, stadiums, movie theaters, game rooms, bowling alleys, arcades, indoor and outdoor flea markets, and swap meets, indoor malls, indoor shopping centers and bingo halls shall close.

Worship: Churches, synagogues, mosques or other places of worship may only provide worship services by video, audio, teleconference, and drive in. Faith leaders may minister and counsel in individual settings to include end of life counseling in a hospital or at the request of a Justice of the Peace or other Government Official, so long as social distancing protocols are followed. Religious institutions must limit in-person staff to those necessary for the operations and physical maintenance of the institution and all individuals must follow the Social Distancing Guidelines, including the six-foot rule.

Essential activities

The order allows for residents to continue with essential activities.

Health and safety: To engage in activities or perform task essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members such as obtaining medical supplies or medications, visiting a healthcare professional, or obtaining supplies needed to work from home.

Supplies: To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others such as food, pet supplies and any other household consumer products, supplies needed to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

Outdoor activity: To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet such as walking, biking, hiking, running, or fishing.

Services: To perform work providing essential products and services at an essential business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in the order. Persons actively employed, working with, or providing services, to include, the delivery of goods for an essential business or government functions are exempt from the provisions while actively engaged in the performance of their duties.

Family and pets: To care for a family member or pet in your household or another household. Persons actively performing functions under this provision are exempt from the provisions while traveling to or from another household to perform the care needed.

Essential businesses

Essential Critical Infrastructure: Work necessary to the operations and maintenance of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with social distancing requirements of six feet to the extent possible.

Essential Government Functions: All services provided by local governments and municipalities deemed essential by the presiding officer to include operations deemed essential by an elected official for their department located in Montgomery County as needed to ensure their continuing operations to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public, including law enforcement, jail operations, court operations, fire services, emergency medical services, emergency management and other services necessary.

Essential Healthcare Operations: Healthcare operations, including hospitals, clinics, dentist, pharmacies, chiropractors, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, mental health providers, substance abuse service providers, blood banks, medical research, laboratory services, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services.

Home-based and residential-based care for seniors, adults, or children are also considered healthcare operations. Healthcare operations also include veterinary care and all health and welfare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be viewed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare. Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals.

Essential Retail: Food producers and service providers, including grocery stores, warehouse stores, furniture suppliers, big box stores, bodegas, liquor stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, farmers’ markets that sell food products and household staples.

Retail outlets that sell pet food and pet products, including businesses that service pets for grooming or boarding.

Food cultivation, including farming, ranching, fishing, and livestock. Food production, including the production of canned goods, bottled beverages, and other grocery items.

Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences.

Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery, drive-thru, carry-out. Catering so long as it’s for an Essential Business or Essential Government Function. Schools and other entities that typically provide free services to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only.

The restriction of delivery or carry-out does not apply to cafes or restaurants located within a hospital or medical facility. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers. Auto supply, auto and bicycle repair, hardware stores, and related facilities. Businesses that sell firearms or gun ranges, and businesses that sell or supply products needed for people to work from home.

Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses: Trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal, mail and shipping services, building cleaning, maintenance and security, warehouse/distribution and fulfillment, storage for essential businesses, funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries.

Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, yard and maintenance crews, housekeepers, janitorial staff, pool cleaners, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residence and Essential Businesses.

Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities. Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses or Residences with support or utilities needed to operate. Caregivers and helpers who provide services to senior and disabled individuals.

News media: Newspapers, television, radio and other media services.

For more information, visit www.mctx.org.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com