Note: A live Question and Answer Session will be held on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. with LaFleur to address concerns and questions residents may have. Questions will be taken from “Comments” on the live stream or may be submitted in advance to the Herald via email or FB messenger and will be posed to the Judge. Questions will be reviewed prior to asking for validity and being on topic. An auto-generated transcript of the Video will be posted later tonight.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur issued two Emergency Executive Orders today in response to the COVID-19 virus situation. He started his daily video update with a letter to all of Marion County outlining what was going on in the state as well as here at home.
The first was a “Designated Shopping Times” order which mandates that all “grocery stores,supermarkets,warehouse stores,liquor stores, and farmers markets that sell food products and household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products) shall designate at least one hour per day as exclusive shopping times for the use of at risk populations (seniors,pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions) with the exception of if the location has a drive up window. Notices of such designated times shall be posted on the door of each location.”
The notice follows:
Secondly, LaFleur issued an “Essential Operations” only order which establishes “Shelter in Place” requirements for all residents of Marion County.
The order excludes certain essential workers and essential types of businesses from the requirement of staying at or near their residences. Places such as Grocery Stores, stores which sell essential goods like cleaning supplies, Fuel Stops, Health Care Facilities, Restaurants with to go or delivery orders, and Daycare centers are exempted.
Residents are allowed to exercise, hunt, fish, etc., outdoors, but are required to maintain social distancing when interacting with others. They can also leave to take care of elderly or pets not living with them.
The full text of the order follows:
The order corresponds with an order issued by Governor Greg Abbott earlier today (Texas Executive Order GA-14) which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. April 2, 2020. It reads: