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The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update March 26

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On March 26, 2020 at 6 p.m. The Woodlands Township shared the following updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis.

Township News

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors meeting, Wednesday, March 25, 2020
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held its first ever public meeting via videoconference. The Directors discussed the Township’s response to COVID-19 and will be meeting weekly under special emergency guidelines from the State of Texas. The Directors also voted to defer the planning process of The Woodlands future governance. 

Read our article here on the meeting.

The Township’s Resident Care Center is taking phone calls remotely during regular business hours. There are four ways for community members to report a concern to The Woodlands Township:

  1. Call The Woodlands Township Resident Care Center at 281-210-3800 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  2. For assistance after hours with urgent service matters other than emergencies, please call 281-210-3800 and press nine (9). Any time during the automated announcement, press nine (9) again to be connected to the After Hours Supervisor.
  3. Submit your concern online through TheWoodlands311 service request system. Registration is not required.
  4. Download TheWoodlands311 app on your mobile device

Property improvement applications can be submitted by mail or by email to covad@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. Review and approvals of applications may be delayed. Due to restrictions and guidelines for social distancing, site visits or in-person meetings with property owners or contractors cannot be performed at this time. Additionally, applications that require the approval of a review committee (RDRC or DSC) will be scheduled when those committees are able to convene.

Landscape maintenance of governmental facilities, including roadsides and parks are considered Essential Governmental Services and are not restricted by County Orders. The Township, through its various contractors, are continuing regular park, pathway, and streetscape maintenance.

Trash and recycling services are considered Essential Governmental Services that are not restricted by County Orders at this time. The Township’s waste removal and recycling contractor, Waste Management, continues to provide the regular weekly collection services.

Waste Management Call Center is now available. Residents needing to report a missed pick up, schedule a bulk pick up or submit another request can contact Waste Management at 1-800-800-5804 or email cssatex@wm.com. Waste Management continues to provide weekly curbside services according to your designated service day. Due to an increase in volume, pick up times may vary from your previous pick up time, however, trucks are operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We anticipate that disruptions in service may be inevitable if and when local, state or federal declarations mandate additional operational restrictions.

Simple Recycling (textile recycling using an orange bag) has suspended the curbside textile recycling program until further notice.

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Business News

Grocery Store Special Hours

  • ALDI:  9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Costco: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.    
  • Fiesta Mart:  7 a.m. to 10 p.m.         
  • HEB:   8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Delivery to seniors (60+) is available through partner, Favor Delivery. Phone orders are accepted 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week by calling 1-833-397-0080. This service is free until April 19, 2020 but will include a $10 tip to the Favor Runner who will shop for and deliver the items.       
  • Kroger:   7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Sam’s Club: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Open Tuesday and Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and concierge curbside service available for seniors 65+
  • Target: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. priority is given to 65+, pregnant and those in at-risk conditions          
  • Trader Joe’s:    9 a.m. to 7 p.m.            
  • Wal-Mart:  7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Open Tuesdays from 6 to 7 a.m. for seniors 65+      
  • Whole Foods: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Shoppers 60+ can begin shopping at 7 a.m.

The Woodlands Mall closes due to COVID-19
As a result of County Judge of Montgomery Order, The Woodlands Mall’s interior common areas will cease operations, but food-use tenants may continue to operate for pick-up and delivery service. Businesses with external entrances will be permitted to operate within the occupancy guidelines. The Mall Walker Program is suspended until further notice.

Read our article on the mall closure.

Our community medical centers at both a regional and local level are in urgent need of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is utilized across the health care, oil and gas, chemical, and industrial painting industries (and likely other industries as well). They can use help from anyone who has access to these supplies, current inventories, etc. This is a general call to action with all our business members regardless of industry type, as you may have a key contact who may be able to assist in these efforts. Please call The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership (EDP) at 281-363-8137 or email mariana.almanza@edpartnership.net to let them know of your ability to assist and the EDP will aid in getting you connected with our local hospital administrators.

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County and State Information

Montgomery County COVID-19 Cases
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, can confirm Montgomery County now has 41 positive cases of COVID-19, an increase of 10 from yesterday. We would like to emphasize the importance of staying home if you are able and social distancing. The virus is now in all parts of our county. Regardless of exactly where these patients reside, it is spreading in the community. Increased hygiene practices, like frequent hand washing and surface disinfecting, are imperative. View recovered and confirmed cases. View press release from MCPHD.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed, as of 3 p.m. today, 16 new cases of COVID-19, which brings the total to 135 positive cases, including one COVID-19 related death, reported on March 19, 2020. HCPH is also confirming that 13 patients have recovered. These new cases do not include those within the City of Houston. Link to news release.

Governor Abbott Update
Governor Abbott issued a new executive order mandating that individuals traveling from the New York Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) or New Orleans by air travel are to self-quarantine for a 14 day period. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be the enforcing agency. Individuals from the described areas are to fill out a DPS form upon arrival indicating their quarantine location (hotel, residence, etc.). DPS will make visits to indicated location to verify compliance. During the 14 day period, no visitors except those related to healthcare are allowed. The individual may not visit public spaces. Violation of the quarantine is punishable by up to a $1000 fine and/or 180 days in jail. View the official order issued by the Governor’s Office.

In addition:

  • Texas has completed over 21,000 tests.
  • 1,424 tests have confirmed positive. Less than 10% of tests have been positive.
  • The President has approved a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas making available numerous federal resources for emergency response.
The Woodlands Township Social Distancing COVID-19
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Community Resource Information
The following items were received from the agencies noted.

Jobseeker Information
If you have lost your job due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Texas Workforce Commission has waived the waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits.  A link to the Texas Workforce Commission application is here: https://twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-job-seekers 

Food Banks
Local food banks are inventorying their resources to ascertain what will be needed in the days to come. Many Township residents have expressed a desire to volunteer or donate; please see the information below regarding those needs.

The Township’s Coronavirus page

The Woodlands Township has launched a special COVID-19 information page that can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page includes the latest news from The Township, updates from partner agencies, social distancing strategies, important links, frequently asked questions, live Twitter feeds and more and is being updated frequently. Please check back often.

Stay Connected 
Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.

Source: The Woodlands Township

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