Judge Gossom issues sixth amendment to Declaration of Disaster
Today Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom announced the sixth amendment to the Declaration of Disaster in Wichita County.
The amendment will allow plant nurseries to open with the same restrictions as “box” and grocery stores, allow realtors to go back to work with restrictions, and loosens golf course restrictions.
Wichita Falls Mayor Stephen Santellana has agreed to the terms, however the City of Wichita Falls City Council will need to ratify the order during their meeting Tuesday. If they fail to, the nurseries, golf courses, and realtors in Wichita Falls will fall under their order.
The new wording in the order is written in italic.
xx. Real Estate Services
Real estate services are limited to those necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities or to further Essential Businesses, Essential Government Functions, or Critical Infrastructure.
Real Estate companies are allowed to perform property management services.
Real Estate companies may conduct services in a usual and customary manner while practicing social distancing. Preference shall be given to electronic transactions, to include viewing of properties. Properties may be shown with no more than five (5) total people present during the showing. The real estate agent, property owner, or property manager is responsible for providing cloth face coverings and gloves or, confirming that each person physically present is wearing a cloth face cover and gloves during any and all transactions. The real estate agent or property owner or property manager is also responsible for properly sanitizing the property before and after the showing. Neither private sellers or real estate agents or property managers may conduct “open house” type property showings .-are allowed to finalize closing activities for all real estate closings scheduled to be conducted as of March 30, 2020. Beginning April 1, 2020, any services involving the acceptance of new real estate listings, showing of any real estate listing or closing any real estate transaction shall be done via electronic, telephonic or “virtual” communication, using technologies in place that are industry accepted. No real estate business and/or transactions shall take place with physical contact or meeting in person.
xxix. Golf Courses.
Golf Pro Shops will be closed. Golfers will check in outside and staff will practice social distancing similar to grocery stores and markets to assist golfers. Flag sticks will be removed from the greens until further notice.
Bunker racks will be removed from the bunkers. Clubs and Golf course will only allow one rider per cart and walking as an option if no carts are available.
Carts will be sanitized after each use. All golfers will remain fifty (50) feet six feet (6’) apart at all times, no exceptions. Groups will consist of three (3) golfers or less.Distancing requirements will be monitored by a Golf Professional to ensure compliance. Driving ranges and practice facilities will be closed. Golfers are not permitted to congregate at any time. Course lavatory facilities shall be sanitized every thirty minutes by course staff. Both golfers and course staff are subject to the penalties set forth herein to enforce this Order. The distancing requirements for golfers shall apply to disc golfers and traditional golfers;
xxx. Plant Nurseries and Box Stores.
These stores may continue to operate under modified conditions at fifty percent (50%) occupancy while complying with Social Distancing Requirements.
Customers must purchase trees, shrubs, plants, seed, garden chemicals and such assorted items sold by these stores through virtual, telephonic, or other electronic means with payments made through charge accounts, credit or debit cards. These items will not be openly available for physical, visual, or in person selection by the customer, and sales are limited to pre orders only, with scheduled curbside pick up for pre order customers. There will be no personal contact or exchange of payments, credit or debit cards during the pick up of items. Customers will park at the area designated by the vendor for pickup.
Customers will remain in the vehicle at all times. All purchases will be delivered with only verbal contact between vendor and buyer. Returns must be picked up by the seller, if allowed, and credits or refunds handled in the same manner as the purchase.
