Residents in Austin and Travis counties will remain under the “Stay Home-Work Safe” order until 11:59 p.m. on May 8, KXAN reports. The order which was expected to be lifted on April 14 was extended by county officials on Monday. “The next three weeks are going to be critical for us,” Austin Public Health Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said, according to KXAN. “What we’re trying to do is buy time. Buy time for more PPE, buy time for more testing capabilities … and to ultimately buy time for two of the most critical components of this, effective treatment and vaccinations.”Counties in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston are currently under stay-at-home orders through April 30.

HOUSTON – Trips to the grocery store have always been a family event for many people, but with the Stay Home Work Safe order, we should really only be heading out for essential items. We want to reduce the number of people in that store and practice social distancing effectively,” said Sujata. The next time you head to the grocery store or pick up food from a restaurant, Sirsat offers these tips to stay safe:Wash store-bought produce thoroughly with cool water then dry the produce with a disposable paper towel. Recommendations circulating on social media to wash produce with soap are inaccurate, and Sirsat notes that this could be harmful since soap is toxic when consumed. Watch above as Sujata gives her tips and best practices for going to the grocery store, and once you get home.

It reads “the existing trial court order shall control in all instances. It wouldn’t hurt to carry a copy of the order and your visitation schedule court documents in case you get stopped. Answer: You can bathe your pets just as you wash your own hands, but under the stay-in-place order, pet grooming is not deemed essential. Answer: Under the order, yard and maintenance crews, housekeepers and janitorial staff are included in a long list of “essential services necessary to maintain essential operations of residences or other essential businesses.” See the 17th paragraph from the bottom of the order here. Answer: If it’s a bar, nightclub or restaurant violating the order, you can call the Harris County Stay Home, Work Safe hotline at 832-839-6941.

HOUSTON – YMCA of Greater Houston is offering child care at select locations to essential business workers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will be provided by the Houston Food Bank. According to the YMCA website, essential personnel is defined as city and county staff responding to the COVID-19 crisis, first responders such as police, fire, and EMS, medical personnel, those who work at food bank and grocery stores, and other organizations or businesses providing critical services to the community during this time. Proof of employment will be checked up first drop-off. Anderson Family YMCA705 Cavalcade St., Houston, TXTexas Medical Center YMCA5614 H.Mark Crosswell Jr St., Houston, TXYMCA Children’s Academy at University Park11144 Compaq Center W Drive, Houston, TXWendel D. Ley Family YMCA15055 Wallisville Road, Houston, TXThe Woodlands YMCA - Shadowbend6145 Shadowbend Pl, The Woodlands, TXFor more information, visit the YMCA website.

Harris County, Houston and Montgomery County announced Tuesday that the stay home order issued last week was extended through the end of April. While the orders are in place, only essential businesses can remain in operation. Workers – including contracted vendors -- who maintain, manufacture, or supply digital systems infrastructure supporting law enforcement emergency service, and response operations. Additionally, workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and associated supply chains. People in Harris County who have questions about whether their business or their employer is deemed essential can email stayhome@cjo.hctx.net.

On Tuesday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a stay-home-work-safe order for Harris County. Here’s a Tweet from the mayor’s office:🚨 Stay home, work safe order issued for Harris County. 🚨 — Houston Mayor's Office (@houmayor) March 24, 2020The 10-day order for Harris County residents to stay at home takes effect after 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday and lasts through April 3. #COVID19 — Houston Mayor's Office (@houmayor) March 24, 2020Despite recently attracting an influx of visitors, parks also remain open. Giving that our lovely @TheDemocrats don’t want to approve the aid presented by @realDonaldTrump — whynot (@Whynot_12345) March 24, 2020Aren’t ALL jobs essential???