Dallas County stay-at-home order allowed to expire
DALLAS - While the governor is preparing to move into the next phase of reopening the Texas economy, the stay-at-home order in Dallas County was allowed to expire Friday.
It started on March 15 and expired Friday night, just before midnight, after 53 days in affect.
For two months, the county asked residents to only leave their homes for work or to go to a grocery store.
But Governor Greg Abbott's executive order changed all that for all Texans.
RELATED: Coronavirus coverage
Dallas County's top health official are saying people should still wear face coverings and limit the amount of times they leave the house.
This week, Dallas County saw a steady drop in new cases and deaths compared to last week.
The county had 27 deaths this week, the lowest amount in one week since April 19.
RELATED: New COVID-19 cases reported in Dallas County this week down from last week
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said Friday that early indications show the plateau of COVID-19 in the county could have been last week.
Nearly two weeks after businesses re-opened, Dr. Phil Huang said people still need to take precaution to prevent a second surge in cases.
“We hope people are being cautious because that's going to be the recommendation throughout. Practicing the physical distancing, washing their hands, wearing the cloth facial coverings,” he said.
[REPORTER: “It’s been nearly two weeks since the governor’s order to slowly reopen businesses. What have you seen in those two weeks in Dallas County?]
“It’s been, again, pretty much plateaued in terms of new hospital admissions, ICU admissions, hospitalizations for COVID,” Dr. Huang said.
Governor Greg Abbott said he will soon announce the next phase for reopening businesses.
Restaurants, salons, and barbershops are open with limited capacity.
Restrictions have eased on worship services, and on Monday, gyms, yoga studios, and other exercise facilities can re-open but under restrictions.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins plans to ask the commissioner's court to extend a local disaster declaration at the next commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
This would give Jenkins the authority to do several things, including requiring private labs and hospitals to report coronavirus case numbers.