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The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH), the Border Regional Advisory Council (BorderRAC), and other public health partners are collecting specimens to test for COVID-19.

Samples are being collected for first responders, healthcare workers, and patients with a doctor’s order. Only those members of the community who have met the testing criteria and obtained a doctor’s order for testing will be allowed entrance. The ordering doctor will schedule an appointment for the drive-thru collection site for the patient.

Local doctors and clinics that cannot collect specimens for testing have already begun to use this system.

“We are implementing a system so people who do not need emergency room care can be sampled and tested while not overwhelming the healthcare system,” said Wanda Helgesen, BorderRAC Executive Director.

The process for sample collection takes less than ten minutes per vehicle and includes the following:

1. Patient must first visit their Primary Care Provider (PCP) and obtain a doctor’s laboratory order for COVID-19 sample collection. The PCP will make an appointment at the drive-thru specimen collection clinic for the patient.
2. The patient will arrive at the drive-thru clinic (site not disclosed to the media or the public) and will be asked to show their identification and their doctor’s laboratory order by holding it up against their closed vehicle window. To maintain social distancing, it is requested that only the patient and/or a second person with a doctor’s laboratory order be inside a single vehicle.
3. The patient will follow signage, drive forward as directed, and will be approached by collection specialists who will be wearing personal protective equipment. This is used to protect both the medical professional and the patient being screened. (Parents should explain to children ahead of time of what to expect so as to reduce fear and anxiety that may come with the scenario.)
4. At the next stage, the patient will be asked to lower their window and put on a mask that will be provided to them, so that the healthcare worker can swab the back of their nostrils and collect the needed specimen.
5. The patient will then leave the area and be provided instructions and information on how to self-quarantine or self-isolate.
6. In approximately three to five days, the results will be sent by the commercial laboratory to both the patient’s physician and to the DPH.
7. The physician will advise the patient of their status and if positive, the patient will be ordered by the City/County Health Authority to self-quarantine or self-isolate at home and away from others. This will also trigger an epidemiological investigation by the DPH. The DPH member will make contact with the patient to discuss the process.

In order to protect the public’s safety and to maintain patient confidentiality, only vehicles with patients being screened will be allowed access to the site. No one else will be granted access and THIS INCLUDES MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.

EL PASO, Texas – In an ongoing effort to suppress the spread of COVID-19, the City and the County of El Paso have issued a “Stay Home, Work Safe” Order for the area that will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, and be in effect until further notice.

El Paso City Mayor Dee Margo, El Paso County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego and Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza announced Tuesday morning the details of the new joint City-County order.

The order, the most stringent measures local officials have taken so far to address the worldwide public health crisis, is directing the public to remain at their residence except to obtain essential services or engage in essential activities and work for essential business and government services.

“We must protect the health and safety of this community. We cannot wait until it is too late, so we must continue working to stay ahead of the wave of cases and help flatten the curve by suppression of this virus,” said El Paso Mayor Dee Margo. “It is very important that residents and businesses cooperate to make this effort as successful as possible to keep our community healthy.”

“We are committed to keeping this community safe and healthy. While the effort is aggressive, there is no question that it will be effective in limiting COVID-19 exposure to the public,” said County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego. “We all must realize that our actions and inactions could have a lasting effect on the entire the community, this order will help ensure positive outcomes for the health of El Paso.”

The order applies to everyone in El Paso County to work safe and stay home with the exceptions of essential businesses and activities; to include but not limited to emergency personnel, healthcare personnel, groceries, financial, critical trades, postal services, food delivery or pick-up, home-based care, childcare, and those performing essential government functions.

The order will continue until further notice and those who are found violating it could face a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or be jailed for up to 180 days. To report non-compliance, please email COVIDCompliance@elpasotexas.gov.

For more information, visit www.EPStrong.org.

Action to Protect Public from Evolving COVID-19

Effective Sunday, March 22, 2020 the El Paso Streetcar will suspend all operations in response to COVID-19.

The service modifications will remain in effect until further notice.

As a reminder, Sun Metro will be waiving all bus fares starting Sunday, March 22, 2020.

Fixed Route, BRIO and LIFT services will offer free rides until further notice; Other recently announced service adjustments include:

· In line with the practice of social distancing, the following changes will be implemented:
– All passengers will board and exit buses through the rear doors. Boarding exceptions will be made for riders who have accessibility needs and require the use of the drop-down ramps located at the front doors.
– All passengers are encouraged to leave two empty seats between themselves and others.
– Effective Monday March 30, 2020 the Fixed Route, Brio and the LIFT will run on a Saturday schedule Monday through Saturday. Sunday routes will continue to operate on a Sunday schedule.

For more information about Sun Metro, visit sunmetro.net or call (915) 212-3333. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sunmetro or follow us on Twitter @SunMetro.

We have been monitoring the COVID-19 developments. It is becoming apparent the situation will not get better before the scheduled date for El Paso Comic Con.

We are committed to having El Paso Comic Con this year. We have been working closely with the venue management during this crisis. We feel it is in the best interest for the health and welfare of all concerned to postpone El Paso Comic Con until October 2-4, 2020.

More information about the event to come.

Your tickets will be honored on the new dates. We’ll see you in October!

Stay healthy and keep washing your hands.

Troy

To slow COVID-19, Trump administration closes southern border to nonessential travel
The border will be closed for all crossings other than commercial trade and specified reasons such as medical care and education.

BY JULIÁN AGUILAR MARCH 20, 2020

The country’s southern border will close to all non-essential travel and trade in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Trump administration announced Friday morning.

The policy takes effect at midnight Friday.

“Both our countries know the importance of working together to limit the spread of the virus and ensure the commerce that support our economy continues to keep flowing,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a morning press conference in Washington D.C.

The policy was a binational effort, Pompeo said, and the policy will be reviewed in 30 days.

Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said essential travel includes crossing the border for medical or educational travel, emergency response and “lawful cross-border trade.”

The United States and Canada agreed to the same measures earlier this week.

Freedom Crossing will continue to update our audiences and the Ft. Bliss community about the measures we’re taking to protect our patrons from COVID-19.
As mandated by The Garrison Commander of Ft. Bliss in conjunction with the City of El Paso, all dine-in/sit-down operations are to cease.

This emergency declaration will take effect beginning March 20, 2020, at 11:59 PM until April 3, 2020, at 11:59 PM pending any further directives from The Garrison Commander of Ft. Bliss.
Take-out/curb-side operation is still acceptable.
The Grand Hall will remain open, all seating will be removed.
The Grand Hall hours are as followed:
Monday- Friday from 9 AM- 8 PM
Saturday- Sunday from 9 AM- 7 PM
Operational Updates

511 Tactical: Open from 11:00 AM- 7:00 PM every day.
Armed Forces Bank: Open from 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM Monday- Friday.
Blaze Pizza: Open from 10:30 AM- 9:00 PM every day.
Buffalo Wild Wings-: Open from 10:30 AM- 9:00 PM every day.
Chipotle- Open from 10:45 AM- 10:00 PM every day.
Denny’s- Open from 7:00 AM- 10:00 PM every day.
Jumbo Park Family Fun Center- Open from 10:00 AM- 8:00 PM every day.
Muscle Maker Grill- Open from 10:00 AM- 7:30 PM Monday- Friday and 11:00 AM- 7:00 PM Saturday- Sunday.
Old Fort Bliss Cigar- Open from 11:00 AM- 7:00 PM Monday- Saturday, closed Sunday.
SmashBurger- Open from 10:30 AM- 9:00 PM.
Texas Roadhouse: Open from 11:00 AM- 9:00 PM on Friday- Saturday and from 11:00 AM- 8:00 PM on Sunday.
The Grand Theatre: Open from Monday- Friday from 3:45 PM- 8:00 PM and Saturday- Sunday from 1:00 PM- 8:00 PM.
Under Armour- Closed for the next two weeks.
US Cryotherapy- Open from 11:00 AM- 6:00 PM every day.

We kindly remind our fans to continue practicing all CDC hygiene guidelines to maintain a clean and secure environment. With your help, we can continue to stay safe at Freedom Crossing.

We look forward to seeing you all in the near future!

-Freedom Crossing

On behalf of everyone at Inn of the Mountain Gods, Casino Apache and Ski Apache, we thank you for being a valued guest at our properties.

It has always been our mission and goal to continue to find ways to best serve our guests, community, and team members. In light of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation, we have decided to temporarily close Inn of the Mountain Gods and Casino Apache as part of the continuing effort to protect the health and safety of our valued guests and team members.

The closure will begin Thursday, March 19 at 11:59 p.m. and is expected to be in effect until April 1. A limited number of employees and management will remain at the resort to secure and maintain the facility.

The gas station located at Casino Apache will remain open for credit card transactions only during the temporary closure. Ski Apache will remain open until close of business on Sunday, March 22, 2020.

All employees will be paid for this upcoming two-week period. During this time of closure, employee paychecks, paid time off and benefits will not be affected.

Together, we will pull through this difficult time – and we will be ready to welcome everyone when we open our doors and resume normal activities.

For more information or questions please call, 1-800-545-9011.

To ensure the health and safety of our employees, we are asking that members of the public limit their in person transactions, business and visits to the El Paso County Courthouse and other County facilities.

Many of our departments are operating with a skeleton crew and many employees are now working from home. We are at this time providing essential services ONLY which does NOT include the following:

-The District Clerk’s Office will no longer be accepting passport applications until further notice.

-The County Clerk’s Office will no longer be issuing out birth certificates or marriage certificates. Birth certificates may be requested through Vital Check online at www.epcounty.com/clerk/ .
There Recording Division and Records Management Division will also be closed (this includes property records, foreclosures and assumed names).

We want to assure you that public services will remain available, but we need your help. If you do not have a court date or if it is not an urgent matter please practice social distancing and stay home. Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.epcounty.com where you can locate our County Directory and reach out to our departments with any issues or concerns relating to business with the County. You can also utilize 915-546-2000 to reach our operator. Remember for any questions for the Health Department or City services please dial 2-1-1. We ask for your patience during this time.

Bishop Mark Seitz has made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend the public celebration of Mass
including on Sunday as well as confirmations, weddings and funerals masses for the foreseeable future. churches will
be closed for the time being. More information will be forthcoming.
One way to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times is to hear or see Mass at 6:15 am our time every day
by going online Daily Mass – Word on Fire

Testing for people sick or who recently have traveled

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH)’s Public Health Division will be providing COVID-19 coronavirus testing Friday, March 20th in Las Cruces, NM with time and location to be announced tomorrow, March 19th.

Priority testing will be provided for the following:
-People sick with symptoms of COVID-19 infection: fever, cough, or shortness of breath;
-People who have recently traveled from Europe (to include Italy), China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco and Portland.

It is critical that all New Mexicans know that those without symptoms of COVID-19 infection do not need testing for COVID-19. We are currently in allergy season, and having allergy symptoms such as sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose or throat is not an indication for testing.

New Mexicans who have health related questions can call the Coronavirus Hotline at 855-600-3453. Non-health-related questions or concerns, call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated and finalized as a one-stop source for information.

The Department of Health is updating its dedicated COVID-19 webpage? with additional tests as the state lab provides results.