COVID-19 Information

March 24, 2020 — Denton County Judge Andy Eads and City of Denton Mayor Chris Watts jointly issued an amended executive order for Denton County and a second Mayoral declaration of disaster and order for the City of Denton requiring residents to stay at home effective at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, until March 31 (unless extended).

Click here to read the full press release and click here to read the declaration and order. Haga clic aquí para español. DECLARACIÓN DE DESASTRE Y ENMIENDA AL DECRETO DEL JUEZ DEL CONDADO DE DENTON.

• Stay At Home Order Guidelines
  • All individuals currently living within the City of Denton are ordered to STAY AT HOME or their current place of residence. For the purposes of this Order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably as possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, travel to businesses outside of the City of Denton, provide or perform Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, all as defined in Section 3.

   

  • All businesses operating within the City of Denton, except Essential Businesses as defined below in Section 3, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the City of Denton. For clarity, businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their residences (i.e. working from home). To the greatest extent possible, all Essential Businesses shall comply with the Social Distancing Guidelines attached, including maintaining six-foot social distancing for both employees and the general public.

   

  • All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except as otherwise provided herein. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit (an apartment or house for use by one family).

   

  • Restaurants and beverage bars with or without drive-in or drive-through services and microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law.

   

  • Religious and worship services may only be provided by video and teleconference. All individuals preparing for or conducting video or teleconference services must follow the Social Distancing Guidelines including the six-foot social distancing.

   

  • All elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures are prohibited anywhere in the City of Denton. Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dental offices, and other medical facilities are directed to identify procedures that are deemed "elective" by assessing which procedures can be postponed or canceled based on patient risk considering the emergency need for the redirection of resources to COVID-19 response.
• What Are Essential Activities?
  • To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members including pets and livestock (for example, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies need to work from home); and

   

  • To obtain necessary food, beverage, services, or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others (for example, food, pet supply, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

   

  • To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet (for example, walking, biking, hiking, or running).  Use of public playground equipment is prohibited.

   

  • To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order.

   

  • To care for a family member or pet in another household.

  
  Click here for a printable Essential Activities flyer (English & Spanish).
• What Are Essential Businesses?
  Healthcare Operations
  Healthcare Facilities, Pharmacies, Veterinary Services
  
  Critical Infrastructure
  Essential Utility Services & Providers, Public Transportation, Banks & Financial Institutions
  
  Essential Retail
  Grocery & Warehouse Stores, Gas Stations & Convenience Stores, Restaurants (Delivery & Carry-out), Auto & Bicycle Repair Shops, Hardware Stores, Package Delivery Services
  
  Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations
  Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
  
  Government Functions
  
  News Media
  
  Childcare Providers
  
  
  Click here to see the complete Declaration of Disaster and Order, which includes a complete list of essential businesses.
  
  Click here for a printable Essential Businesses flyer (English & Spanish).

Stay at Home Order FAQs