City of Pearland Transition Plan

The City of Pearland Incident Management Team in coordination with Administration and with input from all departments have begun the process of outlining a transition plan that returns City staff to on-site operations gradually over time. This plan focuses on community and employee safety first and uses information available now for guidance, so it is subject to change based on the evolution of the situation.

The City continues to work with local, regional, and state partners to monitor and prepare for Coronavirus through the participation in various conference calls and meetings. Our Emergency Management group including the Incident Management Team and City Departments have been planning and preparing staff, facilities, equipment, and more to continue critical services to our community. 

Click Here to Download Governor's Report to Open Texas

Click Here for Governor Abbott's COVID-19 Response

Governor Abbott issued an Executive Order for the entire state of Texas which mandates the following, effective Friday, March 20 at 11:59 p.m. through Friday, April 3, but is subject to extension. The following details the mandates of the executive order:

• Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people
• People shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts
  • The use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options are allowed and highly encouraged
• People shall avoid visiting gyms or massage parlors
• People shall not visit nursing home or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance
• Schools shall temporarily close.

For offices and workplaces that remain open:

• Employees should practice good hygiene
• Work from home, where feasible, in order to achieve optimum isolation

The Executive Order does NOT:

• Prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks
• Mandate shelter in place

This order goes into effect on 11:59 p.m. on March 20 and will remain in effect until April 3, but is subject to extension.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to churches and houses of worship?

• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, individual churches, congregations and houses of worship may determine their own operating hours and service offerings. Many are already offering services online.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to daycare centers?

• As long as the HHS guidelines are strictly followed, daycare centers and licensed individual providers may continue operating.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to all private businesses?

• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, private businesses may determine their own operating hours and service offerings.
  • For common work areas or lunch rooms, businesses must follow federal guidelines: no groups of 10 or more people, allow social distancing of 6 feet, and ensure frequent, thorough hand washing and surface disinfecting.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to all public and private schools from PreK through elementary, high school, community college and university?

• Yes. All schools in Texas are temporarily closed through April 3, 2020, or later if extended by order.
• STAAR testing requirements have been waived for this school year.
• Schools are encouraged to offer online and other distance-learning options.
• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing guidance to public school districts.
• TEA has created a Texas Students MealFinder Map. [need to find direct live link]
• The Higher Education Coordinating Board is providing guidance to public institutions of higher education.
• Questions should be directed to local school districts, community college districts or university systems.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders closing bars and dine-in restaurants apply to walk-in pickups or the drive-through at restaurants?

• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed — no groups of 10 or more people, allowing social distancing of 6 feet, and ensuring frequent, thorough hand washing and surface disinfecting — restaurants may offer walk-in pickups and drive-through service. 

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to salons, barbers, hair stylists and gyms?

• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed, private businesses may determine their own operating hours and service offerings.
  • While maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is difficult for personal services businesses such as salons, barbers and hairstylists, all other precautions can and should be taken by customers and service professionals.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to weddings and funerals?

• As long as federal and CDC guidelines are followed — no groups of 10 or more people, which can be fulfilled through separation of groups and allowing social distancing of 6 feet, while ensuring frequent, thorough hand washing, and surface disinfecting –— wedding and funerals can be held.
• Sharing services online is also encouraged.

Do the Governor’s Executive Orders apply to dentists or other medical providers?

• Dentists and medical providers may determine their own operating hours and service offerings. All federal and CDC guidelines should be followed.

City first responders—the Pearland Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department – will continue “business as usual” as provide usual service to the community. Our first responders will provide the same coverage for the City it always has with no changes in personnel volume at this time. Pearland PD encourages citizens to utilize Online Reporting to make reports online as they arise, as necessary.

• Information regarding closures of facilities, parks, and events is available on the City of Pearland website at pearlandtx.gov/coronavirus 
• Pearland Municipal Courts has announced that all jury duty will be cancelled through May 31 and that the docket/court schedule will be updated daily. 
• Pearland Parks and Recreation has announced:

• Rec Center and Natatorium – closed until September 11th. Will be partially re-opened and will require reservations. 
• Knapp Activity Center – closed until further notice.
• Special Events between now and mid-May are cancelled, including Paws in the Park, Earth Day, and Concerts in the Park. 
• Park programming cancelled until further notice.

Updated July 23, 12:30 p.m. 

The Mayor signed TR-8, requiring all commercially businesses that provide services or goods to the public to develop, implement, and post a policy mandating patrons and employees must wear a mask. The order goes into effect on Sunday, June 28 until Sunday July 12.

Business owners will not be arrested for failure to comply, but business owners who fail to implement and/or post the Order will be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation. Individual customera will not be subject to fines or penalties for noncompliance. 

The goal and expectations are that people will understand the need and look out for themselves, their neighbors, and the community by following these basic steps.  Ultimately, there is enforcement language available in the order which will be coordinated with law enforcement. 

Updated April 30, 9:18 a.m. 

 For Local Employers and Businesses 

In accordance with Texas Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-18, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 1st, 2020,  restaurants (as well as other businesses listed in the order) are again allowed to operate dine-in service, provided that is done with up to 25% maximum of the total listed occupancy of the restaurant.

Health inspectors will also begin regular routine inspections of food establishments. Food establishments that have been closed during this time, Code Enforcement asks for your cooperation in preparing to re-open. Please ensure you:

• Discard any food supply that may have been kept off temperature in coolers and freezers
• Ensure your equipment is in working order
• Discard any expired food items
• Sanitize your entire establishment
• Follow the minimum recommended health protocols below

The minimum recommended health protocols include the following:

Employees and Facility Protocols

• Train all employees on appropriate cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.
• Screen employees before coming into the business:
• Send home any employee who has any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19

  ·        Cough

  ·        Sore Throat

  ·        Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  ·        Loss of taste or smell

  ·        Diarrhea

  ·        Chills

  ·        Headache

  ·        Muscle Pain

  ·        Feeling feverish or measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

  ·        Known close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 

• Have employees maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals. If such distancing is not feasible, other measures such as face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.
• Ensure your facility has soap, hot water, paper towels, and hand sanitizer readily available to employees and customers.
• Disinfect any items that come into contact with customers.
• Consider having an employee manage and control access to the restaurant, including opening doors to prevent patrons from touching door handles.
• Regularly clean and disinfect restrooms and document the cleaning. 

Customer Service Protocols

• Parties to maintain at least 6 ft. distancing including while waiting to be seated.
• No tables of more than 6 people.
• Do not leave condiments, silverware, flatware, glassware or other traditional table top items on top of unoccupied tables.
• Provide condiments only upon request, and in single use (non-reusable) portions.
• Use disposable menus (new for each patron).
• If a buffet is offered, restaurant employees serve the food to customers.
• Contactless payment is encouraged. Where not available, contact should be minimized.

In addition, we strongly recommend the following proactive measures be implemented by your establishment.

• Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting all major touch points – menus, restrooms, chairs, booths, door handles, computer monitors, tables, glass, point of sale machines, etc.
• Nose and mouth covering masks and gloves

The City of Pearland understands the continued risk and economic concerns brought by Covid-19. However, we must remain vigilant in the important roles each of us play within our community. Please contact Code Enforcement with any questions or concerns by calling 281.652.1766, or send an email to codeenforcement@pearlandtx.gov. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

For a full list of services eligible for reopening, refer to Executive Order GA-18.

Click Here for COVID-19: Local Employer Resources

We recognize the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus and the impact that it will have on our community.  Emergency measures - while critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 - are already having an economic impact on individuals, businesses, and communities and these impacts likely will be felt for months to come.  The City and the City’s Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) understand that our local employers are vital to our community’s economy and is committed to facilitating communications and support from state and local resources during this time.  Click here for local employer resources that can provide assistance during this disruption.