Governor’s Order Eases Restrictions on Businesses and Citizens

Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-32

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-32, which superseded GA-30. Significantly, GA-32 updates the thresholds for areas with high hospitalizations. The new definition of areas with high hospitalizations is:

Any Trauma Service Area that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15 percent, until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is 15 percent or less.

For the past seven days, the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in Trauma Service Area E (which includes Hood, Tarrant and Parker Counties) as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15 percent, making it an area with high hospitalizations as defined above.

Additionally, all licensed hospitals in the Trauma Service Area are required to discontinue elective surgeries as set forth in Executive Order GA-31. The Health and Human Services Commission, the agency responsible for regulating hospitals in Texas, is separately providing notice directly to affected hospitals notifying them of the requirement to discontinue elective surgeries located in Trauma Service Area E.

If you have questions about this notice or your obligations under Executive Order GA-32, please contact us at coronavirus@dshs.texas.gov. Please enter “Executive Order 32” in the subject line for proper routing.

Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-30

On Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott announced a new round of Coronavirus restriction rollbacks for nearly the entire state, which will go into effect starting Monday, Sept. 21. Executive Order GA-30 allows Texas businesses that are currently open at 50 percent capacity to open to 75 percent capacity. This includes most businesses like manufacturers, restaurants, retail stores, gyms and office-based employers.

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-26

On Thursday, June 25, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the State of Texas will pause any further phases to open Texas as the state responds to the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Businesses that are permitted to open under the previous phases can continue to operate at the designated occupancy levels and under the minimum standard health protocols provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-23

On May 26, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order  (GA-23) to announce the second phase of the ongoing plan to open additional businesses and activities in Texas. This announcement expands upon the businesses and activities included in the first phase of the plan to Open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. All newly opened businesses and services are subject to the recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services. His Open Texas Plan provided an updated list of what types of businesses and activities can resume and when:

 May 18

• Gyms, exercise facilities (previously announced May 5)
• Hair salons, barbershops (previously announced May 5)
• Non-essential manufacturers and other offices (previously announced May 5)
• NEW - Massage and personal care businesses (includes tattoo and piercing studios, laser hair removal, and hair loss treatment)
• NEW – Childcare centers
• NEW – Youth clubs (YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc.)

May 22

• Restaurants at 50 percent capacity
• Bars, tasting rooms, and similar establishments at 25 percent capacity
• Bowling alleys, bingo halls, skating rinks, and simulcast racing at 25 percent capacity
• Rodeo and equestrian events at 25 percent capacity
• Aquariums, natural caverns, and similar facilities at 25 percent capacity

May 31

• Professional basketball, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, football, and car racing events without in-person spectators
• Day/overnight youth camps
• Youth sports

 June 1

• School districts can hold summer school if following social distancing guidelines

 For complete guidelines and information about upcoming reopening protocols, please visit www.gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas.

People over the age of 65 are strongly encouraged to stay at home as much as possible; to maintain an appropriate distance from any member of the household who has been out of the residence in the previous 14 days; and, if leaving the home, to implement social distancing and to practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation per CDC recommendations.

Hood County One of 100 Counties Allowed to move to 50 Percent Capacity Opening

The Texas Department of State Health Services and Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt announced May 12 that Hood County was one of 100 Texas Counties allowed to move to Phase 2 of Governor Greg Abbott’s phased reopening of Texas from the COVID-19 Pandemic. This meant businesses throughout the county can reopen to 50 percent of the allowed capacity and is a change from previous announcements that had Granbury and Hood County businesses at only 25 percent of capacity, or Phase 1. There are 154 counties whose COVID-19 case numbers are so high they are still in Phase 1 of the governor’s plan.

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-21

• Click here for the list of changes on what is open now and what will open on May 8 and May 18.

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-18

• In-store retail services, for retail establishments that operate at up to 25 percent of the total listed occupancy of the retail establishment
• Dine-in restaurant services, for restaurants that operate at up to 25 percent of the total listed occupancy of the restaurant
• Movie theaters, museums and libraries can operate at up to 25 percent of the total listed occupancy

Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders GA-15 and GA-16

Learn more and read the Executive Orders.

City Council Emergency Resolution 20-05

At the April 1, 2020, Granbury City Council Emergency Meeting, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of City Council Emergency Resolution No. 20-05, amending City Council Emergency Resolution No. 20-04 to reconcile the City Emergency Declaration with the gubernatorial executive orders.

In addition to Executive Order GA-14, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Governor issued Guidance for Houses of Worship During the COVID-19 Crisis to answer questions about guidelines for faith-based gatherings.

City Council Emergency Resolution 20-04

At the March 25, 2020, Granbury City Council Emergency Meeting, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of City Council Emergency Resolution No. 20-04, which includes, among other restrictions the following (Please see the full declaration for all restrictions.)

• Individuals are to stay at home. However, individuals may leave their residences for essential travel, essential activities, or to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. This includes traveling to work at an essential business, traveling for the health of yourself or another person, leaving to get food and supplies, or getting outside to exercise.
• To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from any other person. This does not require a household or living unit to social distance when at home.
• In-house dining at restaurants is prohibited. Restaurants with or without drive-in or drive-through services; drive-in restaurants; drive-through restaurants; liquor stores; and microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-in or drive-through services, as allowed by law.
• All businesses operating within the City of Granbury, except essential businesses, are required to close to the public. Please see the "Is my business essential or non-essential?" for resources.

Please direct questions or requests for more information to the Public Information Office at pio@granbury.org or call City of Granbury during business hours at 817-573-1114.

Rumor Control

• https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control

Click here to see when your business can open and what restrictions may be in effect for you.

Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order, GA-21, further clarifies the differences in essential businesses and non-essential business and when they can open and at what capacity.

Operations regarding essential and non-essential businesses are addressed in Granbury City Council Resolution 20-04. 

To clarify your status as essential or non-essential please refer to these resources:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19
• Office of the Governor: Executive Order GA-14 Relating to statewide continuity of essential services and activities during the COVID-19 disaster

Rumor Control

• https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control

Granbury Beach City Park Reopens

Granbury Beach City Park reopened to the public, May 8. Although the beach is open, there are still COVID-19 related precautions in effect that City staff are asking beachgoers to follow. Please observe all beach rules and the following guidelines:

• Please keep groups to household members only; avoid groups of more than five (5) people
• Maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet at all times
• Anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should STAY HOME (e.g. -- fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc)
• The City reserves the right to limit the number of people on the beach to prevent overcrowding
• To prevent the possible spread of COVID-19, loaner lifejackets will not be offered. Please plan accordingly.

Granbury City Hall Reopened 

Granbury City Hall reopened to the public, May 1. Normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, are reinstated. City Hall has been closed to the public and working a half staff rotation of employees since the end of March. The reopening was done in line with Governor Greg Abbott’s phased reopening of businesses throughout Texas and will only allow 50 percent of normal citizens numbers in the building at any one time.

Citizens visiting City Hall will be expected to follow all Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including:

• Maintaining Social Distancing -- six feet of distance between individuals not from the same households. Where distancing is not feasible, other measures such as face-covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness and sanitation should be rigorously followed
• Washing or disinfecting hands
• The wearing of face masks is encouraged, but it is not mandatory
• Further CDC Guidelines can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Citizens are also asked to “self-screen” before deciding whether to visit City Hall. If any of the following signs or symptoms exist, citizens are required to visit their health care provider and get tested for COVID-19 before visiting.

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea
• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
• Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.

If more people show up than are allowed under the Governor’s order, a line will be made outside the building with a one-in-one-out policy.

Learn more about how you can #SupportLocal with Visit Granbury.

Utility Billing Services

City lobbies are now open to the public, however, utility services can still be managed in a number of methods. Click here for more information on payment methods, connection services, and general utility information. 

• All Utility Payments will be due on the Regular Due Date. Bills will be processed as normal.  
• A late penalty will not be assessed at this time, however, to prevent possible service interruption, please ensure your payment is made on time.   

Spring Bulk Trash Pickup Rescheduled

The April Bulk Trash Pickup for Granbury residents had been canceled by the City’s contractor due to health concerns for their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waste Connections has rescheduled for pick up for Saturday, June 13.  Trucks will begin routes at 7 a.m. and will be completed by 1 p.m.

• • Bulk trash includes items such as furniture, appliances, limbs, etc.
• • Limbs must be cut and bundled in 4-foot lengths.
• • Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning units can be placed in bulk trash but MUST have a certificate of freon reclamation or they WILL NOT be picked up
• • Tires, paint, oils and liquids will NOT be picked up.
• • There is a six (6) item limit and you MUST be inside the city limits.

For more information, contact:

Waste Connections: 817-579-8855, customerservice5194@wcnx.org 

City of Granbury Utility Billing: 682-205-1777, utilitybilling@granbury.org 

Park & Recreation Closures

• baseball/softball fields (Park and Moore Street Baseball Complexes) are closed until further notice.

Cancelation of all City-Sponsored Events through May 2020

The City of Granbury has canceled all City-sponsored events through May 2020. 

Rumor Control

• https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control

To sign up for Notify Me and receive an automatic email and/or text message when a news release is posted, visit www.granbury.org/notifyme and select “Communications & News Releases” under “News Flash”.

Stay Informed

• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Hood County
• Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas

City of Granbury COVID-19 Update: April 26, 2020

Non-Medical COVID-19 Questions Dial-in

If you have questions concerning COVID-19 which are non-medical type questions. You can dial 211 from your cell phone and a 211 specialist across the state can answer your question, this is available 24/7. You can also obtain information by going to www.211texas.org.

Rumor Control

• https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control