Stephens County weekly update

Stephens County community leaders provided an update on the city/county after Governor Greg Abbott’s press conference explaining his executive order on Friday, April 17.

“There are two changes we are making to the city,” Andy McCuistion, Breckenridge City Manager said. “We are going to open up part of Breckenridge park, the walking trail, the disc golf course, and the skateboard park. People must continue to follow the government’s guidelines on social distancing, as the rest of the park will continue to be closed. The second thing the city will do is on Monday, April 20, we will open up the city hall again.”

The news comes as Gov. Abbott signed a new executive order into law, attempting to reopen the Texas economy.

“We have limited numbers to one confirmed case and we have not seen a large number of sick individuals come to our hospital,” Stephens County Judge Michael Roach said. “We didn’t close most of these businesses, and we won’t be able to open them up. The state will decide with an executive order to reopen businesses.”

Although businesses will be able to reopen, limited seating capacity and social distancing guidelines will remain in order.

Community leaders are asking citizens to continue practicing social distancing guidelines in hopes that on next Friday, April 24, all businesses in Texas will reopen. The only businesses unable to reopen are licensed businesses, which are mandated by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation.

“If we stick to the plan, in the early part of May, we will be able to return to some sense of normal,” Roach said. “ There is hope and light at the end of the tunnel that we can get beyond this and move on.”

Stephens Memorial Hospital will soon have antibodies test, which will show if an individual has had or is actively fighting COVID-19. Once reopened, employers will be able to have employees tested for the virus to be sure to mitigate the community spread of the virus.