Nightclubs were open until the early morning hours, callers complained. Churches were packed with parishioners. And gyms and restaurants kept operating, sneaking patrons in through back doors.

In the days since Gov. Greg Abbott limited gatherings of more than 10 people and the closure of many businesses across Texas in order to rein in COVID-19’s spread, city and county officials received hundreds of complaints about residents violating the county and state’s “stay-at-home” orders.

Records show the city’s 311 call-line has received more than 700 complaints of such violations about COVID-19 related problems. The list shows a cross-section of life in Houston — with residents complaining about churches, kids playing basketball, loud restaurants, even adult entertainment stores — and offers a glimpse into ways some businesses tried to wiggle out of orders to shut down.

The governor’s order — which came two days after a similar mandate by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo — was intended to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has spread across the world and brought the global economy to a sudden halt.

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“The decisions we make, and you make, to go out in groups or to stay home will very much determine whether people live or die,” Hidalgo said, last month, regarding the order to close schools and restaurants. “Whether we flatten the curve sufficiently to allow our health care workers to address the influx of cases, or whether our health care system and community at large are overwhelmed.”

The widespread pandemic has sickened more than a million people and is blamed for at least 50,000 deaths. In Harris County, more than 950 people have fallen ill, and the pandemic has claimed eight lives here thus far.

Even as the pandemic has picked up speed in Texas, many state residents appear to have shrugged off warnings about social distancing. A photo in Austin of scores of sunbathers hanging out at Barton’s Springs drew widespread criticism on social media. In Houston, photos of residents playing volleyball at city parks led to similar criticism, and big box stores like Dillards closed after public shaming by a prominent local TV reporter.

Some of the complaints appear to reflect genuine concern about social distancing requirements.

One caller complained about a popular restaurant, because it had “a line outside in close proximity.”

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Another caller complained about a gym open at 10 a.m., days after the ruling went into effect.

“THEY ARE PARKING THE CARS IN THE BACK OF THE BUILDING,” a call-taker noted.

Houstonians appeared to be concerned about their fellow citizens congregating at adult novel stores, judging by the number of complaints about such businesses. Also among the list: bars, residences, a country club and gyms.

The data show the challenges facing local governments trying to get residents to isolate themselves as much as possible to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“Mayor Turner wants bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to comply with the restrictions. Bars and nightclubs are expected to remain closed and restaurants should be open only to provide delivery and carryout,” said Lara Cottingham, with the city’s Administration and Regulatory Affairs department. “The goal is to flatten the curve and blunt the progression of COVID-19. We are in this together and it is important for everyone to do their part.”

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While Harris County’s stay-at-home orders carry potential sanctions — including fines or jail time — local police have said such acts are a last resort, which officers will use “common sense” and courtesy enforcing the mandate. Sometimes officials have worked to remove the sources of temptation: playgrounds, benches and ballfields were swathed in yellow caution tape. When people kept swinging on swings and dunking on basketball courts, workers removed the swings and hoops.

Queries to the city and county also show residents’ confusion over the rules. Officials said the city had also received hundreds of COVID-19-related questions during the first week after the governor’s ban went into effect. The same is true at the county — a spokeswoman said that between March 20 and March 31, more than 12,000 callers contacted the county with questions or concerns related to the virus. In the first week the county specifically began tracking complaints about gatherings of more than 10 people or businesses operating when they shouldn’t, the county tallied nearly 1,700 complaints.

And officials from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to 121 complaints, said Rachel Moreno, a department spokeswoman. When the fire marshal’s office received complaints that fell within other cities’ jurisdiction in Harris County, the department shared that information with local agencies to follow up on, she said.

“Everyone we’ve gone to talk to has complied and closed their business, or early on switched from dining inside to takeout,” she said. “They’ve complied with whatever we’ve asked them to do.”