Governor Issues Statewide Order to Minimize
Non-Essential Activity
On Tuesday, Governor Abbott ordered Texans to minimize activity outside of their homes, except when needed to provide or obtain essential services. The order, which extends through April 30, stops short of a statewide shelter-in-place, but provides for criminal punishment for not adhering to the order’s guidelines.  

The order defines “essential services” as those listed in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce , Version 2.0 but allows the Texas Department of Emergency Management to add to this list. Specific to water, this Guidance broadly encompasses employees needed to operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater or drainage infrastructure, including water wells.

It is a good idea for you and your employees to have documentation of essential worker status available while working. In an effort to assist the industry and local law enforcement agencies, NGWA has provided a sample letter template that can help identify your employees as “essential workers” during any COVID-19 “shelter-in-place” orders;  click here to download the letter template (Word document) .
Best Safety Practices in the Workplace: TWGA believes your safety is top priority during this coronavirus pandemic. Beyond complying with recommendations of the CDC and state and local government officials, here’s a handy list of precautions to take ahead of home service calls, compiled by NGWA .

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