3/5/2021 Carrollton Facilities Expand Capacity Per Governor’s Orders; Continue to Follow COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Governor Greg Abbott announced at a press conference on Tuesday, March 2 he would be rescinding the majority of the COVID-19-related statewide mandates, allowing the expansion of all business entities in Texas to open to 100 percent capacity and lifting the statewide mask order beginning Wednesday, March 10.  The health and safety of Carrollton citizens and staff remains the City’s number one priority. To ensure the safety of City staff and citizens, the City of Carrollton will continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocols including following sanitization practices, social distancing, and encouraging all citizens to remain wearing a mask or face covering when entering a City facility to protect themselves and those around them. 

Abbott cited positive trends in active cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations — as well as the ramp-up in vaccine distribution to as many as 1 million shots administered per week — as the basis for his decision. 
While the statewide mandates are set to expire, Abbott urged Texans to continue taking precautions to keep themselves and others safe. 

Carrollton's virtual services are strongly encouraged and remain available 24/7. Per the Governor’s previous orders, City of Carrollton facilities, including City Hall, Municipal Court, A.W. Perry Homestead Museum, the Animal Services & Adoption Center, recreation centers and Carrollton Public Library locations, Indian Creek Golf Club, Oak Creek Tennis Center, satellite tennis courts, and McInnish and Rosemeade Dog Parks previously reopened at 75 percent capacity.  Most of those facilities will expand capacity to 100 percent beginning Wednesday, March 10. Rosemeade and Crosby Recreation Centers, along with Josey Ranch Lake and Hebron & Josey Library locations will expand capacity beginning Monday, March 22. The Carrollton Municipal Court follows requirements from the Office of Court Administration, an agency of the State of Texas. All in-person trials are currently prohibited through Thursday, April 1. To utilize Municipal Court’s many online offerings, visit cityofcarrollton.com/courts. 

The Carrollton Senior Center currently remains closed while staff evaluates the ability to reopen in the near future in a safe and healthy manner.  Senior Center memberships will continue to be temporarily valid at Crosby and Rosemeade Recreation Centers, and Senior Center programming will continue to be available through a variety of outdoor, indoor, and virtual offerings to suit all interests while keeping wellbeing top of mind. For a full list of available Parks and Recreation activities, visit cityofcarrollton.com/parksprograms, and for Library offerings, visit cityofcarrollton.com/library.

As the City of Carrollton provides government continuity, it is simultaneously committed to helping ensure citizens and employees stay safe. Using guidance and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the City will continue to maintain existing safety measures, hygiene plans, and program protocols such as restricting access to certain pieces of equipment from the Recreation Centers for social distancing, performing enhanced cleanings of high-touch areas at indoor facilities, deeply sanitizing specialized fitness equipment daily, installing sneeze guards on countertops to protect employees and the public, making hand sanitizer stations available, and utilizing floor decals to assist employees and patrons with proper social distancing. Staff attendants at each facility will continue to regularly wipe down and disinfect frequently used surfaces. Until vaccines are readily available and our employees are eligible to receive the vaccine, City staff will be required to wear masks to protect employees and citizens. The City asks all employees and guests to stay home if symptomatic and encourages all high-risk citizens to utilize virtual services when possible. City services can be accessed at cityofcarrollton.com/cityservices.

The Governor’s latest order allows for county-level restrictions if a Trauma Service Area (TSA) reports seven consecutive days of COVID-19 hospitalizations accounting for 15 percent or greater of total hospitalizations. At that time, 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.  TSA-E that covers much of North Texas, including the City of Carrollton, previously hit the milestone in early December 2020, but was able to roll back enhanced restrictions on Tuesday, February 16. 

For more information on Abbott's order GA-34 and the City's response to the ever-evolving health pandemic, visit cityofcarrollton.com/coronavirus and follow the City's social media channels.

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:

• Collin County
• Dallas County
• Denton County

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:

• Collin County
• Dallas County
• Denton County

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 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.

• 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.

12/17/20 Gov. Abbott Announces Plans for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Texas

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

9/17/20 Gov. Abbott Loosens Restrictions; Expands Reopening to 75 Percent Capacity

Gov. Greg Abbott announced at   a press conference on Thursday, September 17 that businesses and facilities currently open at 50% capacity may expand to 75% capacity starting Monday, Sept. 21. in regions where COVID-19 hospitalizations have been fewer than 15% for at least seven consecutive days

• Businesses and facilities include: restaurants, retail establishments, offices, manufacturing facilities, libraries, museums, and gyms. Bars remain closed at this time.
  
  
• Per the governor's order City facilities including City Hall, Municipal Court, A.W. Perry Homestead Museum, Carrollton Animal Services & Adoption Center, Rosemeade and Crosby Recreation Centers, and Josey Ranch Lake and Hebron & Josey Libraries will expand capacity from 50% to 75% beginning Monday, Sept. 21. The Senior Center will remain physically closed, but continue to offer virtual and outdoor, in-person programming. 
  
  
• Starting Thursday, Sept. 24, nursing facilities that meet certain protocols will also begin allowing more visitors, with more details forthcoming. Elective surgeries in select regions may also resume, effective immediately. 
  
  
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect until further notice.

9/3/20  Dallas County Announces Lower COVID-19 Risk Level

Dallas County Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that officials were lowering the COVID-19 risk level from red, “Stay Home, Stay Safe” to orange, “Extreme Caution.”

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins attributed the achievement to the community’s actions to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus such as wearing masks, maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding unnecessary travel and large crowds.

County officials also said residents should continue to observe the precautions that have helped lower the infection rate across the county, and that lowering the risk level was not a cue to relax safety practices especially during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

The statement from Dallas County came a day after the White House announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would have the authority to temporarily halt evictions nationwide for individuals who have lost work during the pandemic and have no other safe housing options. 

For more details, click here. 

Did you know? The City of Carrollton resides in three counties: Dallas County, Denton County, and a small portion of Collin County. Each county is subject to its own health orders, recommendations, and restrictions in addition to state and national mandates, guidelines, and recommendations.

To find out what county you live in, check out the City’s searchable, interactive map that includes county lines, as well as school districts within Carrollton's city limits: click here.