Gov. Abbott blocks efforts to release inmates, increases restrictions on people entering Texas
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During a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott holds a new executive order stating that travel from other states will be limited and subject to 14-day self quarantine, Sunday, March 29, 2020. He also announced the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state are putting up a 250-bed field hospital at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas The space can expand to nearly 1,400 beds. Joining him are Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd (left) and former State Representative Dr. John Zerwas (right).
During a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott holds a new executive order stating that travel from other states will be limited and subject to 14-day self quarantine, Sunday,
Photo: Tom Fox, AP
During a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott holds a new executive order stating that travel from other states will be limited and subject to 14-day self quarantine, Sunday, March 29, 2020. He also announced the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state are putting up a 250-bed field hospital at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas The space can expand to nearly 1,400 beds. Joining him are Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd (left) and former State Representative Dr. John Zerwas (right).
During a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott holds a new executive order stating that travel from other states will be limited and subject to 14-day self quarantine, Sunday,
Photo: Tom Fox, AP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott enacted an executive order Sunday to prevent the release of certain inmates from jails.
The order, which suspends portions of state law, bars personal bonds for anyone convicted or arrested on charges involving violence or the threat of violence. Abbott also outlawed commuting the sentences of inmates convicted of such crimes for good conduct, or releasing them on electronic monitoring.
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Judges can still consider individual releases for health or medical reasons.
“Releasing dangerous criminals from jails into the streets makes the state even less safe and complicates and slows our ability to respond to the disaster caused by COVID-19,” Abbott said during a news conference Sunday.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday that an employee of the video visitation center with the Bexar County Adult Detention Center has tested positive for coronavirus,
Jail officials said on March 20 that more than 200 prisoners were released or transferred out of the facility in an effort to reduce the jail population to help prevent an outbreak of the virus.
On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio mayor threatens park closures as governor ups coronavirus restrictions on travelers
Harris County announced Sunday the first confirmed COVID-19 case in its jail. About 30 inmates are experiencing symptoms associated with the virus, according to officials.
During the news conference, Abbott also announced an executive order that increases restrictions on people entering Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety will stop road travelers from Louisiana at or near entry points and order them to self-quarantine. The order does not include travel for commercial, military, emergency response, health response or critical infrastructure purposes.
Air travelers from the following areas must self-quarantine: Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, California, Washington state, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Orleans.
In San Antonio, Mayor Ron Nirenberg warned Sunday he would close the city’s parks if people did not stop gathering in them
“We have observed congregating in our public parks this weekend,” Nirenberg said. “That’s not good. It’s not allowed. You should get out and get fresh air, but congregating in parks or anywhere else is not permitted. If you do not implement social distancing, we will be forced to dictate stricter measures, such as closing our parks.”
Nirenberg also confirmed that a pop-up treatment center at Freeman Coliseum is in the works.
“Hopefully, we will not need it,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said.
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