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From the City of Orange

At 8 am, March 17, 2020, Orange County Judge John Gothia issued a disaster declaration and emergency order to limit the exposure of our citizens to coronavirus COVID-19 and curb the spread of the disease. The Mayors of Orange County support the Judge’s decision.  (Both documents can be found on the County’s website: http://www.co.orange.tx.us/.)

First, anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should CALL their doctor or medical provider first. Please do not go to the doctor’s office or medical facility without first calling.  During the phone call, you will be asked a few questions to determine if you require further testing.  If you do not have a regular doctor or medical facility, you may call 409-246-5188 for further directions.

Second, what the Judge and Mayors are directing everyone to do is “Manage the 50.”  This follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of no mass gatherings over fifty (50) people in an attempt to limit the possible spread of COVID-19.  “Manage the 50” is the idea of using a variety of methods to limit group sizes under 50.

No businesses are being closed but they are asked to “Manage the 50.” Business owners, managers and the public are asked to consider ways to keep crowds under fifty, such as using drive-thru windows, or doing business on-line. Every building is unique. Smaller areas have less room than larger areas so people will be closer together in the smaller area, or people may be separate with office walls or aisles.  Therefore, there is not one solution that will cover every situation.  If everyone considers how to “Manage the 50” there should be some workable solutions to reach this goal.

Additional guidance to “Manage the 50” can be found in Orange County’s disaster declaration and emergency order.

Remember, if you do not feel well, stay home; do not congregate in crowds over fifty people; and continue to monitor the local news outlets for updates to the situation.

There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County.  Let’s all work together to keep it that way.

Further information regarding the coronavirus can be found at the websites of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or the Texas Department of State Health Services: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/ or the County of Orange, Texas: http://www.co.orange.tx.us/.