Your most frequently asked questions about Dallas County’s stay-at-home order

Earlier this week, Dallas County announced some the strictest limits in Texas on social gatherings, work and movement. Other cities and counties across the D-FW area soon followed suit.

Since the order was issued, we’ve seen a lot of questions in our inboxes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Many of you wanted to know about how to get assistance if you’re a small business owner or unemployed. Others just needed more clarification on what the orders do and don’t allow.

We rounded up your most asked questions and answered them below.

How to get help if you’re unemployed or run a small business

Q: Hello. I need help trying to reach the governor’s office. Can you ask him when exactly Texas businesses will be able to apply to the SBA disaster loans?

A: The governor issued the declaration necessary for SBA Disaster Loans to be issued over the last week. If you experience problems with the application process or long waiting times, let your friendly neighborhood journalist know.

Q: What is the state of Texas doing for apartment renters who lost their jobs and have to move out?

A: The state of Texas isn’t providing assistance for jobless residents outside of unemployment benefits. You can contact a local organization like the United Way about alternative housing solutions.

Q: What type of person do we ask in Dallas county for an exemption so my individual employee can commute and work in a separate office building alone?

A: Dallas County is requesting that residents send questions and concerns to a dedicated email address: businesscovid19@dallascounty.org

Q: Are personnel placement businesses open so I can get a job in an essential business?

A: Staffing agencies are still helping place people in work at many businesses, not just essential businesses. Keep in mind that there are jobs that can be done remotely during the shelter-in-place order.

General questions about the order to shelter in place

Q: Does this order supersede any similar orders enacted (or not enacted) by city or township governments?

A: Here’s the deal: there are a lot of different orders out there. All of them are founded on one principle: stay at home except to shop for groceries and medicine. That said, you should plan to follow the strictest guidelines based on where you live. For example, if you live in McKinney, its city order is stricter than the county or state order. So follow it.

Q: Am I allowed to move?

A: Yes, you can move between your old apartment and a new home — however, if you can put it off, you should. And be sure to follow social distancing guidelines, wash your hands, cover your cough and sneezes. And if you start to develop symptoms, reach out to your medical provider right away and begin to self-quarantine. If you do decide moving is essential, some real estate agents and rental property managers are offering to give tours of units and homes over video conference.

Q: What about people who are moving from out of state? Can we not travel?

A: Welcome to Dallas! Be sure to allow for plenty of time to arrange for your move. Practice social distancing and hygiene as much as possible. 

Q: If you are not in Dallas County but need to get back, can you still get back in? If so, will there come a point where you won’t be able to?

A: You’re free to come back anytime. If you have been traveling, public health experts would recommend you quarantine for 14 days. And if you came back from New York, you must under an order from the governor.

Q: What about flights that were planned ahead of the pandemic. Can we still fly if needed?

A: If you’re an essential employee going on an essential trip, yes. Otherwise, Otherwise, you are not supposed to travel. 

Questions and answers about essential businesses

We got a lot of questions from you about what qualifies a business as essential. Here’s what you wanted to know and what we found out:

Q: Where did the term “essential business” come from and how were the businesses excluded determined to be nonessential businesses?

A: The definition of essential business comes from a memorandum ordered by the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency. The government agency produced a list of essential business operations critical to the U.S. infrastructure and which have “a special responsibility to maintain [their] normal work schedule.”

Q: Is there someone we can contact to determine if our business is deemed an essential service?

A: If you’re in Dallas County, email businesscovid19@dallascounty.org.

Q: What if I am the owner of a nonessential business? Can I leave my home and go to my office to “work from office” by myself?

A: No.

Q: How is construction essential when not providing for essential business?

A: Residential and commercial construction is considered essential to maintaining critical portions of the U.S. infrastructure.

Q: Is child care considered an essential business?

Child care is not considered an essential business unless it directly supports workers of those essential businesses. It’s not clear where babysitting falls in Dallas County’s order, but entering a number of different homes could unnecessarily expose you and others to COVID-19.