Both of the new committees will recommend strategies to help the City mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and to recover from the effects of the disease’s spread.
“As policymakers, we must rise to meet the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19’s spread,” said Mayor Johnson. “These committees will enable the Dallas City Council to consider concrete steps that will help mitigate any negative effects of our painful but necessary emergency measures on our economy and our society. Additionally, our City Councilmembers will work through these committees to start preparing now for Dallas’ recovery.”
Each committee will have seven members and two co-chairs.
City Councilmembers Paula Blackmon and Casey Thomas will co-chair the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Assistance. The committee’s members are City Councilmembers Tennell Atkins, Adam Bazaldua, Lee Kleinman, Chad West, and Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam McGough and City Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn will co-chair the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Human and Social Recovery and Assistance. The committee’s members are City Councilmembers Carolyn King Arnold, David Blewett, Jennifer Staubach Gates, Omar Narvaez, and Jaime Resendez.
Updated guidelines for social gatherings and businesses
Earlier this week, Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager T.C. Broadnax issued amended regulations to slow the spread of novel (new) coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, in the city of Dallas.
“We are taking these actions now because our core responsibility as a government is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our residents,” Mayor Johnson stated a press conference announcing these changes.
The amended regulations include:
- Restrict community gatherings to no more than 50 people
• A prohibition on dine-in services for restaurants
• The closure of bars, lounges, taverns, private clubs, gyms, health studios, theaters, and commercial amusement facilities
“Your city government is taking the steps it deems necessary to flatten the curve of this global pandemic and save lives,” Johnson stated. “And we are going to get through this because the people of Dallas are strong.”
The regulations were created in accordance with Mayor Johnson’s disaster declaration, which was authorized by the Texas Local Government Code, Section 418, and Section 14B of the Dallas City Code. The rules, which have the effect of ordinances during the duration of the declaration, are meant to protect life and property and preserve critical resources while a state of disaster is in effect.
Parks close playgrounds, golf courses, tennis centers
Out of an abundance of caution and to maintain social distancing, Dallas Park and Recreation are closing playgrounds, golf courses, and tennis centers until further notice. While the use of playground equipment is restricted, open-air use of parks and trails will remain open.
Dallas Park and Recreation Centers were closed and all department organized programs were suspended including any athletic field reservations and organized play.
The water is safe to drink
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) would like to remind residents and customers Dallas tap water is safe to drink. Conventional water treatment methods, including filtration and disinfection, are used at all of DWU’s drinking water treatment plants. These processes remove or inactivate bacteria and viruses.
COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water. DWU continues to test and monitor our drinking water supplies 24/7 to ensure the highest quality water for our customers.
For more information on COVID-19, visit the City’s web page, https://www.dallascityhall.com/coronavirus.
