COVID-19--Frequently-Asked-Questions

What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID​-19)?

According to information provided by the CDC, symptoms of the virus include fever, feeling of discomfort, dry cough and shortness of breath. People of older age or those with an underlying health condition are at a higher risk of deterioration into serious condition.

​What is the mode of transmission of COVID-19?

The main mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets. The virus can also be transmitted through contact.

​What is incubation period? How long is it for COVID-19?

The "incubation period" is the time it takes for you to develop symptoms after catching the virus. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1 to 14 days, most commonly around 5 days. These estimates will be updated as more data become available.

​What steps should I take to help prevent COVID-19?

Members of the public are urged to go out less and reduce social activities such as group meals or other gatherings and maintain appropriate social distance with other people as much as possible.

Maintaining strict personal and environmental hygiene is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community:

• Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care
  
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children to do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-base hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands.​
  

​​I am very worried about COVID-19 and I need help managing my feelings.

The abundance of news and updates about COVID-19 is making many people feel anxious. Put news reports in perspective and maintain a positive outlook. If you're having trouble managing your concerns on your own, please reach out for help. ​You may find some of the resources below useful:

• ​​CDC: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19​​
• American Psychological Association: Coronavirus Anxiety
• Better Help: How To Handle Kids’ Stress And Why It Happens​

​​​What if I become ill with symptoms and do no​t know where I might have been exposed? What should I do?

Stay at home and call your doctor if you are exhibiting flu like symptoms such as a fever, dry cough and/or shortness of breath. 

The following are recommendations from the CDC:

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill wi​th COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
  
• Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
  
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
  
• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  
• Limit contact with pets and animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals.​​

There have been confirmed cases in Coppell. Are the patients at home or in the hospital? Where did ​they go before falling ill?

Due to patient privacy regulations and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act laws, Dallas County has not released any further information. Because Dallas County is not sharing that information, the City of Coppell is unable to share with the public because we do not have this information. ​

​I'm having trouble paying my water bill or need other assistance? What should I do?​​

If you have having trouble paying your water bill, please contact City of Coppell Utility Billing at 972-304-3695. 

If you are in need of other assistance, please contact Metrocrest Services​ at 972-446-2100. ​

What about employees of private businesses? What if I'm concerned that my employer isn't implementing social distancing protocols?

The City strongly recommends that everyone, including businesses, adhere to the social distancing guidelines as outlined by the CDC, the State, and the County. We understand that many employees are anxious, and we appreciate your concern. Unfortunat​ely, the City of Coppell is not a regulatory agency to enforce social distancing. Should you have a concern about safety at your workplace, including social distancing, please contact OSHA at OSHA.gov​. ​

What businesses are considered essential​?

For more information on what is considered an essential business, visit dallascounty.org, view Dallas County's FAQs or view Dallas County's Summary Chart.​ 

Employees of essential businesses, whose physical presence at the workplace is not essential to operations, are directed to use telecommuting to the fullest extent possible.​

Any manufacturer that retools so that a substantial part of its business is for the purpose of manufacturing or producing ventilators, masks and all forms of medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or supply essential healthcare operations may apply for an "essential business" exemption under the Order. Submit requests to BusinessCOVID19@dallascounty.org. ​

Will trash or recycling services be inte​rrupted​?

​At this time, there are no changes to the regular trash and recycling collection schedule.

• Trash and bulk waste collection days are Mondays and Thursdays. Waste should be bagged or placed in a trash can with a lid and placed at the end of your driveway prior to 7 a.m. on the date of pickup. Residential customers are allowed a maximum of 10 bags of solid waste per service day. Each bag should weigh no more than 40 pounds.
• Recycling should be placed in a recycling bin. Yard trimmings may be bagged in a paper sack. Recycling and yard trimmings will contine to be picked up on Wednesdays.  
  
• Bulk waste consists of any materials not easily contained in a trash bag – and therefore not normally disposed of in a trash bag – such as, but not limited to, swing sets, furniture, oversized acceptable solid waste and brush too large to be cut and packaged per yard trimming guidelines. Bulk waste may not exceed two cubic yards per collection.

To learn more, visit republicservices.com/coronavirus.

What can I do under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order?

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill wi​th COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
  
• Perform tasks essential to your health and safety, or to the health and safety of your family or household members (for example, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies need to work from home).
  
• Obtain necessary services or supplies for yourself and your family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others (for example, food, pet supply, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences).
  
• Go to work at an Essential Business (as defined in the Order) or work from home at a non-essential business.  
  
• Care for a family member or pet in another household.​​
  
• Engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements of six feet (for example, walking, biking, hiking, or running).
  
• Move to another residence either in or outside Dallas County.
• For more information, view Dallas County's Summary Chart​.
  

What is still open under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order?

• Government Services: police stations; fire stations; hospitals/clinics and healthcare operations; jails; courts; garbage/sanitation; transportation including DART; and utilities (water, power and gas).
  
• Healthcare Facilities: hospitals; clinics; dentists; chiropractor offices; optometry offices; pharmacies; healthcare suppliers; mental health providers; substance abuse service providers; blood banks; and any other healthcare facility.
  
• Food: Grocery stores; farmers markets; food banks; convenience stores; gas stations; and take-out, drive-through, and delivery restaurants.  
  
• Schools: Public and private educational institutions, only for the purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions.
  
• Maintenance Services: Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, cleaning services, and others who provide services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and essential businesses. ​​
  
• Animal Services: veterinary care; pet food and supply stores; grooming if necessary for the health of the animal; pet daycare, but only for employees of essential businesses. 
  
• Financial Institutions: Depository lenders, such as banks and credit unions can operate. Non-depository lenders, such as payday lenders, must close. Payroll services can also continue to operate.  
  
• Other Essential Facilities: Laundromats/laundry services; gas stations; hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities. 
  
• Cemeteries and funeral services. 
  
• Churches can conduct services via teleconference.
• For more information, view Dallas County's FAQs or view Dallas County's Summary Chart. 

What about childcare?

• Only for employees of essential businesses who are exempted from the Order.
  
• Must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer each day.
  
• No interchanging of groups of children.
  
• More than one group is at a facility, then each group must be in a separate room (no mixing of groups).
  
• Each provider must stay with only one group and not change.
• For more information, view Dallas County's FAQs or view Dallas County's Summary Chart.

Can I use ride share or on-demand service or a taxi?

Yes, but only for essential travel.​ Do your best to take social distancing precautions: cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands before and after rides, etc. ​For more information, view Dallas County's FAQs or view Dallas County's Summary Chart​

Can I move?

Yes, moving is allowed but is generally discouraged. 

How do I prove that I am allowed to be outside?

At this time there is no requirement of proof that you are allowed to be outside your residence because the order presumes that citizens will adhere to their civic duty and follow the order for the greater good of the community.

Will there be a general election in May?

No. The Coppell City Council voted to cancel the May 2, 2020 election for City Council Places 1 and 7 and postpone the general municipal election until November 3, 2020. In March, Governor Abbott sent out a proclamation suspending portions of the Texas Election Code to allow cities that had planned to hold elections on May 2 to postpone them due to the CIVID-19 pandemic. City Council decided that postponing the election would allow the community to focus on the health and safety of their families. Council also wanted to the ensure that voters would have ample access to the candidates and public forums prior to the election and that the community would be able to safely come to the polls.

The last day to register to vote for the November 3, 2020 Election is October 5, 2020 . Early voting will be held October 19-30, 2020.The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is October 23, 2020. 

For more information, contact the City Secretary's Office at citysec@coppelltx.gov or 972-304-3673.

How many cases are in Coppell?

Due to the number of positive cases and how quickly the situation is evolving Dallas County has begun utilizing a summary report. This report includes a list of all cities with positive cases and is updated to their COVID-19 website on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Coppell Fire Department has also created a dashboard that illustrates the number of COVID-19 cases in our area. Please note, this information is not solely from the City of Coppell. The dashboard compiles information from several public sources and does not necessarily update in real-time. Instead, updates depend on revisions to our source sites, and we cannot guarantee that those pages are being updated regularly.

Restaurant FAQs

Do the required resta​urant closures mean that I cannot go to a restaurant to pick up a to-go/take-out order?  

No. Customers can still visit restaurants to pick up a to-go/take-out order. However, customers may not sit in the dining room or the outdoor patio areas. Call your restaurant of choice in advance to see what options they offer. 
 
Does this mean restaurants can only provide curbside service for to-go/take-out orders? 

No. In addition to to-go/take-out, restaurants may also provide curbside pick-up service. Dining inside or outside of the facility is prohibited. Call your restaurant of choice in advance to see what options they offer. 
 
RESTAURANT OWNERS: What types of signage can I display or set out to let people know my establishment is still open?

Any. Operators can use any signage to indicate they are open. Signage must state that your establishment is only offering to-go/take-out, curbside or drive thru services.
 
RESTAURANT OWNERS: Should I rope off or close my dining areas?

Yes. This is not required, but it is a good idea to help reinforce the policy currently in effect.​