DENTON (KRLD/NBCDFW) Denton County officials issued a mandatory, county-wide stay-at-home order Tuesday, asking people to stay home in an attempt to stall the spread of COVID-19.
Denton County Judge Andy Eads said the order would go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 and impacts all 40 cities in the county.
“Sometimes you have to decide between two bad choices and I am erring on the side of saving lives,” said Judge Eads. “Each individual has the responsibility to stay at home and limit their actions to the necessities of getting supplies, handling medical issues and, for some, going to work to keep essential businesses in operation.”
Under the order, Essential Businesses are allowed to remain open and those working at those businesses are permitted to travel to work in those businesses, but all other businesses are ordered to close.
Restaurants offering to go, drive-through or takeout service are permitted to stay open.
“Nothing is more important than protecting the safety and well-being of our community,” said Denton Mayor Chris Watts. “During this unprecedented time, it is on all of us to do what is necessary to flatten the curve and minimize the spread of this virus.”
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This order will be effective until March 31, 2020, unless extended by the Denton County Commissioners Court or rescinded by the Denton County Judge.