Former Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr's city issues stay-at-home order

The city of Marshall, Texas, where former Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr is city manager, and Harrison County in which it is located, issued a shelter-in-place order Tuesday.

Rohr explained to KTBS, the ABC affiliate in Shreveport, Louisiana, the reason for the order.

The three cases that we're aware of, that tested positive, were travel-related cases. And we thought it was important to protect our citizens to be proactive. And to put this measure in place to prevent or reduce, hopefully, community spread.

The City of Marshall issued the following news release:


Harrison County and Marshall City issue mandatory shelter orders on site

Harrison County Judge Chad Sims and Marshall City Mayor Terri Brown confirm a second and third positive case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Harrison County. In each case, the cause of exposure to COVID-19 was related to travel. County and city leaders believe it's convenient to be proactive and take steps to further protect our citizens and prevent the spread of the community. In response, Judge Sims and Mayor Brown issue mandatory shelter orders on site at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020.

According to this Order, citizens of Harrison County and Marshall City can still perform essential activities for their families; including obtaining medical supplies, visiting a healthcare provider, getting the supplies they need to work from home, shopping grocery, participate in outdoor activities while maintaining social distancing and performing the work defined as an essential service. 

Citizens at high risk of disease by COVID-19 and people who are sick to remain in their residence, except for medical care.

Essential services are defined as all lifeguards, emergency staff, individual governance functions they perform, health care operations, essential infrastructure, supermarkets, farmers market, food banks, pet stores, agriculture, livestock, fishing, social services, media, service stations, automobile supply / repair, banks, hardware, mail services, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, laundry cleaners, dry cleaners, restaurants, supplies office, airlines, private transportation, home services or shelters for older persons, adults or children, professional services (legal, accounting, insurance, real estate, appraisal, surveys and titles), childcare, public services, telecommunications, cleaning, maintenance, healthcare operations, funerals, defense industry and educational services operating online. You can find a complete list of all essential services online at www.marshalltexas.net.

Non-essential companies will be closed, except to maintain minimum basic operations. Essential companies exempt from closure are encouraged to determine the personnel that are essential for operations and to send non-essential personnel to their homes.

For the purposes of this Order, "Essential Journey" includes travel for any of the following purposes:

• Any travel related to the provision or access to Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Business or Minimum Basic Operations;
• Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable people;
• Travel to or from educational institutions for the purpose of receiving materials for distance learning, to receive meals and any other related services;
• Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction;
• Travel required by police or court order; or
• Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence out of town. People are strongly advised to verify that their transportation out of town remains available and functional before commencing such a journey.

When citizens need to leave their places of residence, either to obtain or perform vital services or to facilitate authorized activities necessary for the continuity of social and commercial life, they must at all times meet the requirement of social distance.

Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health. According to Texas Government Code #418.173, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this Order commits a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to $ 1,000.00 and / or imprisonment for a period not exceeding the 180 days, and every day or portion of a day when such rape continues shall constitute a separate offence.









The Emergency Management Team will continue to meet with leaders of Harrison County, Marshall - Harrison County Health District, CHRISTUS Good Shepherd - Marshall and Marshall City by monitoring the situation continuously and providing warnings to the citizens as necessary
Harrison County and Marshall City are following the guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the steps our community can take to help prevent the capture or spread of coronavirus (COVID-19 ). This is a situation that continues to evolve and we will do everything we can to keep our citizens informed about the latest information.

Harrison County and Marshall City urge our community to practice healthy habits that include:
1. Restricts physical contact and areas of public use.
2. Maintain social distance with a safe distance of six (6 ft) between people.
3. Everyone in Texas should avoid social meetings in groups of 10 or more by Governor Abbott's Executive Order.
4. Residents should not visit nursing homes, retirement or long-term care centers unless they provide critical assistance.
5. According to CDC, people should avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants and food courtyards, or visiting gyms or massage parlounges. Residents can still use driving, pick up or deliver options through the Executive Order.
6. Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
7. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
8. If no soap is available, use at least one alcohol-based hand disinfectant at 60 %.
9. Avoid close contact with sick people. All people should remain in the home if a person in the home presents symptoms.

If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, you have been exposed to a sick traveler or have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Tell your doctor or emergency department of your symptoms to avoid any possible spread.