County Judge amends Emergency Order limiting number of family members in retail/wholesale establishments

Published 8:35 am Thursday, March 26, 2020

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Orange County Judge John H. Gothia issued his Second Amended Emergency Order on March 23, 2020, which became effective immediately at 11:59 PM on March 24, 2020. Since this order was made public, several questions have arisen that I hope to clear up with this Addendum.

The following Orders are hereby incorporated into Judge John H. Gothia’s Second Amended Emergency Order:

• Unless an individual requires assistance due to physical or medical needs, or is a parent of a child for whom there is no alternative care, only one member of a household can enter the following retail/wholesale establishments at one time. This applies to the following retailers: Grocery stores, warehouse stores, big-box stores, any store within a strip center or mall, liquor stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and farmers’ markets.

• All retailers, wholesalers and customers of the above listed retail/wholesale outlets are immediately put on notice: Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 418.173, Peace officers are hereby authorized to enforce the current Order and Addendum. Any retailer, wholesaler or customer who violates any provision of these regulations, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand ($1,000.00) dollars, or up to 180 days confinement in jail.

For additional information, please refer to Executive Order GA 08 issued by Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas, effective on 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2020.

Here: EO-GA_08_COVID-19_preparedness_and_mitigation_FINAL_03-19-2020_1

This addendum to Judge John H. Gothia’s Second Amended Emergency Order becomes effective as specified and shall be strictly observed and enforced as if incorporated fully into that Emergency Order.
ORDERED this the 25th Day of March, 2020, at 4:00 P.M.