3/2/2021 Gov. Abbott Allows Businesses to Fully Open, Lifts Statewide Mask Order
Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday, March 2 plans to reopen business in Texas as well as the removal of the statewide mask mandate.
All businesses in Texas, including restaurants, retail establishments, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, libraries, museums, and gyms, will be able to expand to 100 percent capacity effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 10. Abbott made clear individual business entities will be allowed to decide if masks are required at their establishments and if they wish to open to full capacity.
These lifted restrictions apply only to Counties without high hospitalizations. Per order GA-34, if a Trauma Service Area (TSA) reports seven consecutive days of COVID-19 patients accounting for 15 percent or greater of total hospitalizations, a County Judge in the TSA may decrease business capacity to no less than 50 percent and use “mitigation strategies” such as face masks to prevent further spread of the disease. However, County Judges may not impose jail time or other penalties of any kind for not following COVID-19 orders.
The health and safety of citizens and staff remain the City’s number one priority. Time and patience is requested as the City performs due diligence and creates an action plan moving forward regarding City facilities. An official statement regarding the status of City facilities will be issued as soon as possible. For updates, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus.
2/22/2021 Carrollton to Host Vaccine Registration Event Feb. 24
In partnership with Dallas County and Metrocrest Services, the City of Carrollton is hosting a vaccination registration event on Wednesday, February 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Josey Ranch Sports Complex (1440 Keller Springs Road). 
COVID-19 safety measures will be in place, and masks will be required throughout the duration of the event.
Cars will be guided by staff in the parking lot, where they will park in designated registration locations. Another team of staff will safely visit each car with laptops and tablets to assist participants in registering on available county waitlists.
The registration event is not a vaccine distribution event. Distribution is managed by the Texas Department of State Health Services in conjunction with Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County health authorities.
At this time, there are two categories of people who are eligible to receive the vaccine, depending on availability:
- Phase 1A - Front-line healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
- Phase 1B - People ages 65 and older, and those 16 years and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19, including pregnancy.
Currently, Dallas County and Tarrant County waitlists are accepting sign ups from all individuals; whereas, Collin and Denton County waitlists are only for those in categories 1A and 1B.
A printable flyer is available in both English and Spanish.
For the latest Coronavirus updates from the City of Carrollton, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus.
1/28/2021 DCHHS Provides Emergency Housing Assistance Program for 2021
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) announced the extension of the emergency housing assistance program for residents who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, funded through the CARES Act, allows up to $1,500 in mortgage, rental, and utility assistance per month, for up to six months. Eligibility requirements include:
- Must reside outside the city of Dallas but within Dallas County
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must not currently be receiving housing assistance through another entity
- Must have experienced a negative economic impact from COVID-19
- Household income must be less than 80% of the Area Median Income
DCHHS processes applications through a lottery system. To complete the pre-screening application, visit the Dallas County website here.
Additionally, Dallas County residents who have been sued for eviction may be eligible for rental assistance through the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP), funded by the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs. Beginning in February, the program will provide residents up to six months of assistance pending certain qualifications including:
- Must reside outside the city of Dallas but within Dallas County
- Must have been sued for eviction, as the process is through the court system
- Requires assistance no older than April 2020
- Currently not receiving tenant-based voucher assistance and project-based assistance
- Household income must be at or below 200 percent of the poverty line and 80 percent of the Area Median Income
- Must have experienced a negative economic impact from COVID-19
- Must be 18 years of age or older
For more information about the program, and to view the list of required documents, visit the TEDP website here. Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
For the latest Coronavirus updates from the City of Carrollton, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus.
1/18/2021 DCHHS Offers Hotline Registration to Eligible North Texans for COVID Vaccine
Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has launched a hotline that allows residents the chance to register for the COVID-19 vaccine through the County.
The number for the DCHHS Vaccine Registration Hotline is 469-749-9900. The hotline is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and assistance is available in both English and Spanish.
Additionally, Denton County has opened its drive-through vaccine clinic, located at the CH Collins Athletic Complex (1500 Long Rd, Denton, TX). The clinic is available by appointment only. Residents can fill out an interest form on the Denton County Public Health Vaccine Portal by clicking here.
Although, Texas became the first state to administer one million doses, COVID-19 vaccines are still only available to two categories of residents as supplies remain limited:
- Phase 1A - Front-line healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
- Phase 1B - People ages 65 and older, and those 16 years and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19, including pregnancy.
Texas has 79 mass vaccination sites, and will distribute 333,650 first rounds of doses this week. Carrollton continues to work with State and County officials during the rollout of vaccines. For the latest information, visit:
For the latest Coronavirus updates from the City of Carrollton, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus.
1/13/2021 The Latest News on Vaccine Distribution in Texas from DSHS
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced on Sunday, January 10, that 28 vaccination hub providers throughout the state will be receiving 158,825 vaccine doses this week. The full list of vaccine allocations from DSHS for this week can be accessed here.
For the latest Coronavirus updates from the City of Carrollton, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus.
1/11/2021 Carrollton Denton County Residents Can Now Sign Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Carrollton Denton County residents can now sign up for a waitlist to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Denton’s new Vaccine Interest Portal at DentonCounty.gov/COVID19vaccine.
Those who meet eligibility requirements as set by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will receive further notification and appointment scheduling confirmation of their date, time, and place to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.
To ensure public safety and convenience, DCPH will offer two drive-thru vaccination clinics beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January12 and Thursday,January14. Only individuals who receive a vaccine appointment confirmation email or text message will be vaccinated at DCPH’s drive-thru vaccination clinics. DCPH will continue to utilize the Vaccine Interest Portal as additional vaccine supply is sent in future weeks. Individuals who are not one of the 3,500 to receive the vaccine this week will remain in line for future shipments and DCPH clinics.
The State of Texas continues to receive an extremely limited supply of doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, freestanding ERs, and other clinics.
COVID-19 vaccine distribution is managed by the Texas Department of State Health Services in conjunction with County health authorities. The City of Carrollton resides in three Counties: Collin, Dallas, and Denton. For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in each County, visit:
At this time, there are two categories of people who are eligible to receive the vaccine, depending on availability:
- Phase 1A - Front-line healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
- Phase 1B - People ages 65 and older, and those 16 years and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19, including pregnancy.
The Texas Department of State Health Services estimates the vaccine could be available to the general public by this spring, but that may change depending on vaccine production.
The COVID-19 vaccine supply is still limited. Vaccine distribution is based on availability and eligibility. Texans wanting a vaccine should not visit a hospital or other vaccine provider searching for the vaccine. Visit the hospital’s or other vaccine provider’s website to see when the vaccine may be available. If the information cannot be located online, call ahead.
For the latest Coronavirus updates from the City of Carrollton, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus.
1/8/20 City Working with Dallas County on COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution
The City of Carrollton is working with Dallas County to support the planned mass vaccination mega site at the Texas State Fair Grounds that is scheduled for next week. Any Dallas County resident who meets Phase 1A or Phase 1B criteria as determined by the state will be able to schedule an appointment for vaccination at this site. To schedule an appointment, click here.
The State of Texas continues to receive an extremely limited supply of doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and is distributing statewide to hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, freestanding ERs, and other clinics.
COVID-19 vaccine distribution is managed by the Texas Department of State Health Services in conjunction with Collin, Dallas, and Denton County health authorities.
At this time, there are two categories of people who are eligible to receive the vaccine, depending on availability:
- Phase 1A - Front-line healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
- Phase 1B - People ages 65 and older, and those 16 years and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of severe disease or death from COVID-19, including pregnancy.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services estimates the vaccine could be available to the general public by this spring, but that may change depending on vaccine production. For more details, click here.
12/17/20 Gov. Abbott Announces Plans for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Texas
Gov. Abbott announced the arrival of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Texas during a press conference on Thursday, December 17 in Austin. By the end of the first week, approximately 224,000 doses will have been distributed and administered to Texans across the state.
Healthcare workers and those on the frontlines of the pandemic will receive the vaccine first. More will be available as doses of the Moderna vaccine are produced and distributed in the coming weeks. Abbott said more than a million vaccines will be distributed to various providers by the end of December, including hospitals, health centers, clinics and other medical practices, pharmacies, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent cares, long-term care facilities, local health departments, state hospitals, state-supported living centers, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities.
Abbott praised Texas’ sophisticated delivery system and claimed the state will see a fast and effective distribution of the vaccine. A partnership with UPS will support a process that begins with getting the vaccines, 5,000 doses per box, to the most vulnerable citizens first, including the elderly and those with existing medical conditions.
Both Abbott and Dr. John Hellerstadt, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner, reiterated the importance of continuing to wear masks in public, social distancing, and proper hygiene as non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Abbott said he has no further plans for additional pandemic-related shutdowns in the State of Texas and that the vaccines will be voluntary.
For more information on Abbott's vaccine distribution press conference, click here. For more information on the current restrictions to 50 percent capacity for businesses, visit Governor Abbott’s orders.
10/7/20 Gov. Abbott Announces Reopening Plan for Bars
Gov. Abbott renewed the state of disaster declaration for COVID-19 and made an executive order on Wednesday, Oct. 7 stating that bars can reopen to 50% capacity on Wednesday, Oct. 14, with opt-in from County judges. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has decided to opt-out for the time being due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, while Denton County Judge Andy Eads and Collin County Judge Chris Hill will allow bars to re-open at 50% capacity.
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