Shelter-in-place orders issued for Amarillo and Canyon

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Amarillo and Canyon are now under a shelter-in-place.

City of Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson announced a shelter-in-place for the city.

This afternoon, Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders also issued stay at home guidelines.

These are effective today at midnight and lasts for two weeks. The cities will reevaluate at the end of the two weeks.

The Amarillo-area Coronavirus Status Alert is now at Level Red.

Violating the order is punishable by a fine or possible jail time.

Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner also issued a shelter-in-place for Potter County.

According to the City of Hereford, Hereford and Deaf Smith County are planning to issue stay-at-home orders as well. The plan is for the orders to go in effect midnight on April 1.

These orders are being made in order to help slow the spread of the virus.

Below is a list of work services considered essential:

• Healthcare - hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical suppliers, mental health and veterinary care
• Public infrastructure operations (water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refinery, waste, internet, telecommunications, defense, essential manufacturing)
• Transportation and related repairs
• Government functions (first responders, emergency management personnel, judges and courtpersonnel, law enforcement)
• School personnel (and families leaving home to get schoolwork and meals)
• Carry-out and delivery restaurants and liquor stores (takeout, delivery and drive-through only)
• Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services
• Newspaper, television and radio services
• Gas stations and auto services
• Banks, financial institutions and real estate transactions
• Hardware stores, home and business repair and service providers
• Business supplies, mailing and shipping services
• Laundromats, dry cleaners and related services
• Airport, taxis and private transportation
• Legal and accounting services
• Home-based care, residential facilities and shelters
• Funeral homes and related businesses
• Childcare facilities that enable essential employees to work
• Hotels, motels and shared rentals
• Animal shelters, zoos and other live animal businesses (no visitors)
• Gun and firearm businesses
• Moving services

The following personal activities are allowed:

• Getting groceries, household supplies, medicine, gas, work-from-home supplies, pet and livestock supplies
• Going to the doctor’s office
• Outdoor activities (hiking, biking, running, etc.) while maintaining social distance requirements

Below is a list of what is considered essential travel:

• Travel related to essential personal activities and work services
• Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, disabled or vulnerable persons
• Travel by clergy, travel to funerals
• Travel to and from educational institutions for materials or meals
• Travel to residence
• Travel required by law enforcement or court order

Nelson said the Amarillo-area will see a spike in positive tests because more tests are being completed.

More than 20 people are in quarantine.

A first case of the coronavirus was confirmed earlier this morning in Moore County.

This makes 25 cases of COVID-19 in the Texas Panhandle:

• Moore County: 1
• Swisher County: 1
• Potter County: 5
• Randall County: 6
• Castro County: 8
• Deaf Smith County: 2
• Oldham County: 2

Texas County officials announced the first positive case of the virus in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

There are four confirmed cases in Eastern New Mexico.

• Curry County: 3
• Roosevelt County: 1

Mayor Ginger Nelson also called on the community to support our neighbors who work in the medical field by placing a yellow object outside your home.

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