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Questions have arisen about Harris County's "Stay Home, Work Smart" order.
According to KPRC, the order issued by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo governs travel and commerce in Harris County. None of the language of the order prohibits travel outside of the county, but there are some local, state and national restrictions to manage the spread of the coronavirus.
As an example, Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered that all travelers from New York, California or New Orleans flying into Texas must quarantine themselves for 14 days upon arrival. This is not a travel ban, but it is meant to discourage people from traveling to Texas from these coronavirus hot spots.
President Donald Trump has also banned travel to Europe and the United Kingdom at this time. American residents who are returning must self-quarantine.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow and new areas are deemed hot spots, travel warnings are sure to increase. Through April 4, Texas has reported 6,110 cases of the coronavirus, with 105 fatalities. This includes 1,106 in Harris County.
Be prepared for restrictions to change. Make sure that you steer clear of areas where the coronavirus has spread widely. The purpose of travel restrictions is to help control the spread of the virus.
There are some ways that you can help slow the spread of the virus. Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with others who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available. Avoid touching the face. Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
More information about the Stay Home, Work Smart order can be found here. More information about how to protect yourself or what to do if you are sick can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.
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