Rusk changes operating procedures in compliance with GA 18

With the issuance of Governor Abbots GA-18 Executive Order, on Monday, April 27, 2020, the City of Rusk has made some changes to its operating procedures.

“These proactive measures have been taken by the city to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in conjunction with the statewide public health disaster issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbot,” City Manager Jim Dunaway said. “The city is going to continue to monitor the situation, and work with our partners during this unprecedented situation.”

Rusk City Hall will remain closed to the public, due to the size of the lobby. City staff will be available for appointments for those services that require face to face contact, as well as by phone and email Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Water payments may be made in the night drop box, online at www.rusktx.org, or over the phone.

For our online court payments you can go to www.certifiedpayments.net you will need Bureau Code # 7435389 and your citation number. You can also pay by phone 1-866-549-1010 with Bureau Code # 7435389 and your citation number.

The Rusk Public Library will re-open during normal hours 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, starting Monday, May 4, but the Children’s area will remain closed except to check out a book. The library will allow up to 10 customers at a time.

The following facilities will remain closed:

• Singletary Memorial Library Community Meeting room;

• the Rusk Civic Center;

• Jim Hogg Park;

• Conley Park;

• Butler Park; and

• the Lions Club Sports Complex.

The Foot Bridge Park remains closed due to needed repairs.

All emergency services and regular city services will continue as normal.

Abbot’s GA-18 Executive Order keeps stay home/work home in place, except to access essential or re-opening services while following appropriate guidelines. It continues the order that retail services may be provided through pickup, delivery by mail, or delivery to the customer’s doorstep.

In addition, starting on Friday, May 1, it opens up the following:

• In-store retail services, for retail establishments that operate at up to 25 percent of the total listed occupancy of the retail establishment.

• Dine-in restaurant services, for restaurants that operate at up to 25 percent of the total listed occupancy of the restaurant; provided, however, that: (a) this applies only to restaurants that have less than 51 percent of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages and are therefore not required to post the 51 percent sign required by Texas law as determined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; and (b) valet services are prohibited except for vehicles with placards or plates for disabled parking.

• Services provided by an individual working alone in an office.

• Golf course operations.

• Local government operations, including county and municipal governmental operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, as determined by the local government.

Such additional services as may be enumerated by future executive orders or proclamations by the governor.

The conditions and limitations set forth above for reopened services shall not apply to essential services and the governor can impose more stringent requirements on a county if he chooses.

Religious services should be conducted in accordance with the joint guidance issued and updated by the attorney general and governor.

People shall avoid visiting bars, gyms, public swimming pools, interactive amusement venues such as bowling alleys and video arcades, massage establishments, tattoo studios, piercing studios, or cosmetology salons. The use of drive-through, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks remains allowed and highly encouraged.

The executive order does not prohibit people from accessing essential or reopened services or engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to the grocery store or gas station, providing or obtaining other essential or reopened services, visiting parks, hunting or fishing, or engaging in physical activity like jogging, bicycling, or other outdoor sports, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.

In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance as determined through guidance from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long- term care facilities should follow infection control policies and practices set forth by the HHSC, including minimizing the movement of staff between facilities whenever possible.

In accordance with the guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall remain temporarily closed to in-person classroom attendance by students and shall not recommence before the end of the 2019-2020 school year.