COVID-19-Weekly-Employee-Update_06_5_20
Local Order Promoting Peaceful Protests and a Special Thank You to Our
Police Department
On May 31, Mayor Chris Watts issued a local order to encourage peaceful demonstrations and protests
within the City. Since the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, demonstrations
for justice and change have taken place in many urban areas across the nation. While most have been
conducted peacefully, some cities experienced violence that resulted in injuries and significant property
damage.
Out of an abundance of caution, with several events planned within Denton, and with some threatening
to engage in possible violence, the order is a step to ensure that, in the event a demonstration
experiences destructive elements, any chance of injury to those present or damage to surrounding
property is reduced. The order mandates that:
• A curfew is established for the Designated Downtown Area, the Denton County Courthouse, Jail
Facility, and any other areas of the Denton County building complex (see Exhibit 1) from 9 p.m.
until 6 a.m. from Sunday, May 31, 2020, through Sunday, June 7, 2020;
• Public safety personnel, credentialed members of the news media, individuals traveling to and
from work, or individuals seeking medical attention, among other designated persons or
activities are exempted from this curfew;
• Within the designated areas (Exhibit 1), the following items will be prohibited from 5 p.m. until 6
a.m.:
o Weapons, including knives, pepper spray, and clubs;
o All purses, bags, and containers larger than a small clutch bag, backpacks and other
similar bags and containers as listed in the order; and
o Projectiles and signs with rigid components that could be used as a weapon.
The order expires after seven (7) days unless extended by a vote of the full Denton City Council.
Click here to read the signed order and Mayoral Order Area Map (Exhibit 1).
Mayor Chris Watts on why he signed a declaration of emergency in order to establish a curfew in certain
parts of our city: “What we have to do is provide every opportunity to protect our citizens, to protect
life, and to protect property. In no way is this order meant to say or imply that the citizens of our city
will be violent or have civil unrest during peaceful protests.” Click here to watch the video of the
Mayor’s update about the curfew.
Special thanks to the Denton Police Department for watching out for our community and keeping our
community and us safe always, and during this time.
Facilities Reopening
As part of a phased reopening strategy, some City facilities and programs are reopened to the public
with certain restrictions and precautionary measures for the well-being of community members and
staff.
If you are working at a City facility or plan to
return, you will notice some of the following
safety measures currently in place.
• All City facilities are being thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected on a regular
basis.
• City employees will be required to
participate in daily health checks and
wear masks when conducting in-person
business, both internally and with
members of the public.
• Though masks are recommended but
not required for public visitors, social
distancing will be mandatory. Members
of the public who visit City facilities will
be required to maintain a distance of at
least 6 feet between themselves and
others at all times
View a schedule of reopened facilities, including
the Parks and Recreation reopening schedule
here.
Safety with Citizens Guidelines
To assist employees in educating residents about COVID-19 safety requirements in our facilities, a
COVID-19 Safety with Citizens guidelines document is available on the HUB. The COVID-19 Safety with
Citizens guidelines outlines:
• Personal protective equipment requirements for the public
o PPE Required
o PPE Requested
• Social distancing requirements for the public
• Enforcing social distancing and safety standards
o What we do not enforce
o When to provide a verbal reminder
o If a citizen intentionally disregards social distancing
• Calling the police for assistance
o When to call the non-emergency number
o When to call 911
Click here to view a short video overview of the COVID-19 Safety with Citizens guidelines.
Reopening Resources Available on the HUB
New resources with the latest organization-wide standards, guidance, and signage for our employees,
departments, and organization are available on the HUB.
View a short video that outlines the information now available to you on the HUB!
What Resources are Available:
Online Employee Health Check*: This application will allow you to record your daily health check online
prior to your shift beginning (unless telecommuting). Click here for more information and step-by-step
instructions on using the online health check application. Before using the online version, check with
your supervisor to determine if the paper health check form is appropriate for your department.
* To access the application on a browser, you must use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
For Employee Information: You will find important information on telecommuting standards and
policies, PPE and hygiene requirements, health check instructions, and return to work guidelines on the
Employee Information page.
For Department Information: Departments that are currently or will soon begin to safely reopen to the
public can find information on facility reopening plans, sanitation standards, PPE request forms, and
justification forms to fill vacant positions during our hiring freeze.
For Organization Information: To meet and address specific needs, certain standards are specific by
department, while other standards will be used organization-wide. All organization-wide reopening
guidelines and signage for use in buildings and facilities can be found on the Organization Information
page. For additional needs, Public Affairs has select signs available that can be requested by
departments through email.
In the coming weeks, you are encouraged to check back on the HUB for regular updates and the latest
information regarding reopening schedules and resources as they become available.
For Feedback and Questions:
If you have any questions or feedback over the provided standards and guidelines, please contact your
supervisor, email Human Resources at covid19hr@cityofdenton.com, or Public Affairs at
communications@cityofdenton.com.
Governor Abbott Announces Phase III Reopenings
Wednesday, June 3, Governor Abbott announced Phase III to reopen Texas. View the Governor’s press
release and Executive Order GA-26.
Effective June 3:
• All businesses currently operating at 25% capacity can expand their occupancy to 50% with
certain exceptions.
• Bars and similar establishments may increase their capacity to 50% as long as patrons are
seated.
• Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with less than 1,000 confirmed positive cases
may open at 50% capacity.
• Restaurants may expand their maximum table size from 6 to 10 persons.
Effective June 12:
• Restaurants may expand their occupancy levels to 75%.
• Counties with 10 or less active COVID-19 cases may expand their occupancy limits to 75%.
Counties that fit this category but have not previously filed an attestation with DSHS will
need to do so.
Effective June 19:
• Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with more than 1,000 confirmed positive cases
of COVID-19 may open at 50% capacity.
Additional Openings:
• Special provisions have been made for outdoor gatherings, such as Fourth of July
celebrations, but it is imperative that local officials and public health officials collaborate on
safety standards. These provisions are included in the Governor's Executive Order and are
also available on the Open Texas webpage.
HR Telecommuting Handbook
To further aid departments and employees in developing effective telecommuting plans and
strategies, a Telecommuting Handbook is now available on the HUB. The handbook includes
guidelines, benefits, and challenges related to telecommuting.
If you have any questions related to telecommuting, you are encouraged to speak with your supervisor
or contact your HR Business Partner.
If you have questions or would like to see additional information included in the next
COVID-19 employee update, email COVID19HR@cityofdenton.com.