COVID-19 Community Resources

On Tuesday, March 2nd, Governor Abbott issued an executive order lifting the mandatory mask mandate in Texas and opening Texas back to 100%. See Executive Order GA-34 here.

• There are no COVID-19-related operating limits for any business or other establishment.
• Mandatory mask mandate lifted in the state of Texas, however, individuals are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household, but no person may be required by any jurisdiction to wear or to mandate the wearing of a face covering.

The City of College Station has received an additional $400,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds that the city council has allocated for the Economic Assistance Grant Program. The program is designed to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and to prevent job losses.

• Grants of up to $50,000 will be made available to micro-enterprises or small businesses and involve no fees but must be used to retain at least one full-time equivalent, permanent job for each $35,000 in funds.
• Applications are open during two rounds — today through Jan. 6 and Jan. 11-Feb. 3. Businesses may receive no more than one grant per calendar year. Grants are available based on the business’s number of full-time employees.
• A profit/loss statement for the previous year and a tax return demonstrating profitability.Qualifying businesses must provide the following documentation:
• • Three-month average payroll.
  • Business situation narrative that addresses how the funds would impact operations.
  • The year the business was established.
  • Evidence that business revenues were affected by disaster declarations.
  • After the funds are received, provide affidavits of income for LMI employees.

City of Bryan Council Members adopted a resolution Tuesday (1/12) that allows the city to receive and distribute $603,226 in CARES Act funding that will be used for COVID-19 pandemic related assistance.

• This newly approved amendment allows for $259,388 to be allocated through a competitive Request for Proposal process for the Public Service Agency Program, which in the past has provided funds to programs including Catholic Charities and Project Unity.
• Additionally, $253,355 will go into the city’s economic development grant program for Bryan small businesses through an online application process, and $90,483 is being set aside for administrative costs including oversight management and a temporary position associated with delivery and compliance of the CDBG CARES additional funding.

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT 2021 (rules.house.gov)

Here are the key provisions that will be included as part of the $900 billion agreement:

• Direct economic relief via stimulus checks of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year. $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000, and an extra $600 for dependent children that are under 17 years old.
• Aid for struggling small businesses, including more than $284 billion for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans and $15 billion "in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions"
• $300 per week for enhanced unemployment insurance benefits
• $20 billion to buy vaccines and make "the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it" and $8 billion for vaccine distribution
• $20 billion for coronavirus testing efforts
• $25 billion for rental assistance and an eviction moratorium extension
• $82 billion for education providers like schools and colleges, including aid to help reopen classrooms safely and $10 billion for child care assistance
• The deal will rescind "$429 billion in unused funds provided by the CARES Act for the Federal Reserve's emergency lending facilities"
• $13 billion in increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and child nutrition benefits
• $7 billion to bolster broadband access to help Americans connect remotely during the pandemic
• $45 billion to support transportation services, including $2 billion for airports, $1 billion for Amtrak and $16 billion for "another round of airline employee and contractor payroll support"
• A tax credit "to support employers offering paid sick leave"

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan
Texas Department of State Health Services

• TDEM COVID-19 Provider Search
• Who is eligible?
  • Phase 1a
    • Paid and unpaid workers in hospital settings working directly with patients who are positive or at high risk for COVID-19
    • Long-term care staff working directly with vulnerable residents
    • EMS providers who engage in 911 emergency services like pre-hospital care and transport
    • Home healthcare workers, including hospice care, who directly interface with vulnerable and high-risk patients
    • Staff in outpatient care settings who interact with symptomatic patients
    • Direct care staff in freestanding emergency medical care facilities and urgent care clinics
    • Community pharmacy staff who may provide direct services to clients, including vaccination or testing for individuals who may have COVID
    • Public health and emergency response staff directly involved in administration of COVID testing and vaccinations
    • Last responders who provide mortuary or death services to decedents with COVID-19
    • School nurses who provide health care to students and teachers
  • Phase 1b
    • People 65 years of age and older
    • People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
    • Cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart conditions, solid organ transplantation, obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Phase 1c
    • Projected mid-January - early February. Specific target population has not yet been identified
  • Phase 2
    • Projected February-March at the earliest. Specific target population has not yet been identified
  • Phase 3
    • Projected April-May at the earliest. Specific target population has not yet been identified
  • Phase 4
    • General population. Projected June-July at the earliest

RISING COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS REDUCE OCCUPANCY LIMITS

On Dec. 28, Brazos County Judge Duane Peters received notification from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS) that Trauma Service Area N (in which Brazos County is located) has surpassed the limit set forth by Gov. Abbott in Executive Order GA-32.

New restrictions are now in effect for Brazos County due to COVID-19 hospitalizations exceeding 15% for seven consecutive days.

• OTHER BUSINESSES - Any establishment that otherwise would have a 75% occupancy limit must operate at up to only 50%. Visit open.texas.gov for the complete list.
• SURGERIES - Elective surgeries, as defined in Executive Order GA-31, must be rescheduled unless they “would not deplete any hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster.”

Restrictions will be eased when TSAs reach seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is below 15%.

While the Governor and TABC both offer an appeal process for this reduction of capacity, Brazos County does not qualify. Per the DSHS, to qualify for this exemption, Brazos County must have fewer than 30 total cases of COVID-19 reported over the last 14 days.

On Wednesday, October 7th, Governor Abbott issued an executive order relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens. See Executive Order GA-32 HERE.

• Beginning October 14th, bars and similar establishments can open at up to 50% capacity in conjunction with county officials.
• In hospital regions with low COVID-19 hospitalizations, County Judges will be able to opt their county into opening bars beginning October 14th, provided they assist in enforcing health protocols.
• The Governor's Executive Order also increases the occupancy levels for all business establishments other than bars to 75%.
• Bar Open Texas Checklist
• Bar Patron Open Texas Checklist

On Thursday, September 17th, Governor Abbott issued an executive order relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens. See Executive Order GA-30 HERE. 

• Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 75% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, September 21, 2020.
• All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages must remain closed. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
• Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.

Brazos County issued an Executive Order that face coverings and/or masks are required for commercial businesses in Brazos County. Effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. For more information CLICK HERE.

• For a business to be compliant in Brazos County:
  • You must adopt a Health and Safety Policy as described in the order. At a minimum, the policy must require all employees and visitors to wear a face-covering in your business when you cannot ensure sufficient social/physical distancing (6 feet between persons from different households).
  • You must notify your employees and visitors of the policy by posting signage in a conspicuous location (for example, at the entrance to the business, in employee breakrooms, at job sites, and at points of sale).
    • TEMPLATE SIGNS FOR PRINT - CLICK HERE.
  • You must implement the policy by:
    • Notifying your employees and visitors of the policy;
    • Requiring your employees to wear a face-covering while at work when maintaining sufficient physical distance from another person is impossible or unlikely; and
    • Requiring visitors to wear a face-covering when visiting your business or facilities.

On Thursday, June 25th, The City of College Station passed an order that will require the use of face masks in all businesses. It will go into effect Monday at 6:00 a.m. and will end at 11:50 p.m. on Friday, July 10. Click HERE to read the full order. 

On Friday, June 26th, The City of Bryan passed an order that will require the use of face masks in all businesses. It will go into effect Tuesday, June 30th, at 12:01 am.m and remains in effect until rescinded. Click HERE to read the full order.