Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Collin County Stay At Home Order

Allie

10 months ago

Are you confused about what the Collin County Stay-At-Home order means? Do you need answers about what you can do now that you’re stuck at home? Keep Reading Because This Article Will Tell You Everything You Need To Know About Collin County’s Stay At Home Order:

Have to work remotely? Here’s How To Work From Home And Actually Get Stuff Done.

Schools in Texas are ordered to remained CLOSED through the end of the school year.

You may be wondering what you can and cannot do under Collin County’s Stay-At-Home order. In this article I will explain what the order means for you and your family, and what is being done to mitigate substantial economic losses people and businesses are suffering, such as information about the newly passed CARES Act. Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Collin County’s Stay-At-Home Order:

Here’s What You Need To Know About Collin County Stay At Home Order

What does Stay At Home mean?

Stay at home in Collin County means exactly that–you stay at home. The exceptions are that you may leave home to do the following: get groceries, pick up food from restaurants, buy pet supplies, go to the doctor or dentist, and go to work if your job is an “essential” business. You may also help or take care of a relative with needs.

Stay at home in Collin County ~~currently doesn’t mean much~~ states that certain persons “must” stay home, such as those exhibiting signs of illness, you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 or you’ve been in contact with someone with COVID-19, you are 65 years of age or older, you have certain health issues or you are morbidly obese.

UPDATE: Governor Abbott has extended the statewide order is extended. Collin County’s order adds the following statement which is in alignment with the State order:

“All persons in Collin County are hereby ordered to stay home, except for travel related to essential activities. Entertainment activities are not considered essential activities.”

You are also allowed to do a few other activities such as go for a bike ride, jog, exercise, walk the dog, etc. as long as you stay at least six feet away from anyone else.

You may also do essential home repairs such as repair a plumbing leak or repair your roof.

You may not visit a nursing home, play a round of golf, or go to church (except televised services).

What does McKinney’s and Frisco’s Shelter In Place order mean?

HERE’S A LIST OF ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND ACTIVITIES in McKinney, Texas.

HERE’S A LIST OF ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND ACTIVITIES in Frisco, Texas. (since parts of Frisco are also in Denton County, you’ll want to check out Denton’s Stay At Home Order too.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT THIS MCKINNEY, TX COVID-19 FAQ:

CLICK TO VIEW AND PRINT FRISCO TX COVID-19 FAQ

Can I let my kids go to the playground?

No. Neighborhood playgrounds have been closed.

Am I allowed to go to work?

NOTE: Even though Collin County has updated their order to include messaging in alignment with Governor Abbott’s order announced at a press conference March 31, 2020, the order continues to include the following messaging (below) which many have found to be a source of confusion, hurt, and out-of-touch messaging to those who are the most vulnerable.

Collin County’s Stay At Home Order states, “To protect the financial health and well-being of Collin County citizens, including those who are the most economically vulnerable and disadvantaged, we have a shared responsibility to take actions necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as to protect and promote the ability of all persons to provide for their own financial and material needs, including food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.

All businesses, jobs, and workers are essential to the financial health and well-being of our local economy and therefore are essential to the financial health and well-being of Collin County citizens.

Persons who are employed need to stay employed.

Persons who lack employment need to gain employment.

Businesses that are able to remain open need to remain open.

Employers, employees, and customers have a shared responsibility to promote public health in the normal course of business activities.”

Governor Abbott has ordered no groups of 10 or more are allowed in the State of Texas during this time. Massive fines and possible jail time if you violate this order.

Struggling with working remotely? Here’s How To Work From Home And Actually Get Stuff Done.

Who is under quarantine in Collin County?

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or you have been in contact with someone who is diagnosed with the illness, then you cannot leave your home for two weeks.

In Collin County, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (whether diagnosed or not), then you must stay home until 72 hours after your fever ends and your cough has improved. This means, if you ARE diagnosed with COVID-19, then you essentially must stay home for 17 days after your fever breaks and your cough improves. The order does NOT prevent persons leaving home to get medical or emergency care.

Collin County goes even further and states that if you are at high risk of severe illness, then you are ordered to stay at home.

According to Collin County’s order, those at high risk of severe illness who must stay home INCLUDE:

People over the age of 65,
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility,
Those with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, those with heart disease with complications,
Those who are immunocompromised (including those getting cancer treatments),
Those who are morbidly obese (body mass index greater than or equal to 40),
Those with underlying medical conditions,
Those with diabetes, renal failure or liver disease.

Quarantine requirements have now been expanded to include travelers returning from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and anywhere in Louisiana, Atlanta Georgia, California, Washington, Detroit Michigan, and Chicago Illinois. McKinney, TX has also expanded their rules. Frisco, TX has also expanded their rules.

Coronavirus testing: All testing and potential vaccines for COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to patients thanks to the newly passed CARES Act.

What happens if I violate Collin County Stay-At-Home order?

If you violate Collin County’s stay at home order, then you could face a $1,000 fine and/or 180 days in jail. Check Collin County’s Stay At Home Order website for official information.

How long does the Collin County Stay At Home order last?

Collin County finally clarified on Monday, March 30 that their stay at home order will continue as long as the Texas’ state emergency declaration stays in effect. You should check Collin County’s COVID-19 website for the latest information.

What is an essential and nonessential business under Collin County Stay-At-Home order?

Collin County’s Stay At Home Order which has been extended to April 30 and is updated to include the following messaging:

“All persons in Collin County are hereby ordered to stay home, except for travel related to essential activities. Entertainment activities are not considered essential activities.”

Governor Abbott has ordered no groups of 10 or more are allowed in the State of Texas during this time. Massive fees and possible jail time if you violate this order.

Do I need a note from my employer to go to work?

The county does not require paperwork from your employer at the time we published this article.

What if I can’t pay my rent, mortgage or other bills?

Federal, state, and local officials have created measures to help mitigate the financial problems people are facing due to the coronavirus shut down.

FHA-backed mortgages won’t go into default for a month.

Texas Supreme Court has halted evictions for renters through mid-April. At the time we published this article, there was no information readily available for Collin County residents who aren’t able to pay rent. Here is Collin County’s COVID-19 website.

Call your property manager or landlord if you won’t be able to make payments on time due to the coronavirus shutdown. If you still have problems, contact this person:

You will need to check with your city for utility cutoff information. The Public Utilities Commission has suspended utility cutoffs and related fees for retail customers. It’s a good idea to call your utility if you have any questions.

Coronavirus testing: All testing and potential vaccines for COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to patients thanks to the newly passed CARES Act.

What if I’ve lost my job and now I’m unemployed due to coronavirus shutdown?

If you’ve lost your job due to COVID-19 shutdown, then you should know that unemployment benefits have been expanded and now covers independent contractors and self-employed persons who normally wouldn’t be eligible.

The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) act expands unemployment insurance to $600 weekly and adds an additional 13 weeks past Texas’ 26 weeks. The CARES act will also give $1,200 to individuals or $2,400 to married couples if your income is under $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married). Each dependent child gets you an additional $500.

The Texas Workforce Commission has relaxed their requirements to people who need child care in order to return to work.

What if my business has suffered an economic loss due to the coronavirus shutdown?

The SBA (Small Business Administration) is offering loans to businesses that have suffered an economic loss due to the coronavirus shutdown.

Texas Women’s University is offering $1 million in grants at $10,000 each for women-owned businesses affected by the crisis.

The CARES Act is dedicating $350 billion towards preventing layoffs and business closures while workers have to stay home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Companies with 500 employees or fewer that maintain their payroll during the shutdown can receive up to 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance. If employers maintain payroll, the portion of the loans used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven. You can all 880 pages of the bill here.