Following Dallas County’s order on Monday, both Collin County and Denton County issued “stay-at-home” orders of their own on Tuesday in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

Issued by Judge Chris Hill, the Collin County order is set to last until March 31 and permits travel only for “essential activities” and does not establish any new closures. What differs about Collin County’s order is that all businesses are deemed essential and can remain open.

“I want to make it clear that all businesses, all jobs and all workers are essential to the financial health of our local economy, and therefore they’re essential to the financial health and well-being of our Collin County citizens,” Hill said in the Collin County announcement. “Persons who are employed need to stay employed.”

Although similar in nature, both the Denton County order and Dallas County order had stricter definitions of what businesses are deemed essential.

“We are asking people to reduce our impacts and the surge of anticipated cases,” Denton County Judge Andy Eads said. “Hospitals, the places that help us in our greatest hour of need, are now asking us to help them. We must ensure the health and safety of medical professionals and first responders, who are on the front lines working to help those when needed most.”

With 45 reported cases of COVID-19 in Collin County as of Tuesday morning, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney urged residents to, “stay at home.”

“My best way to simplify the message for all residents is just follow a stay at home approach, other than essential travel,” Cheney said. “There’s just no reason to make any trips to any place of business unless it’s essential.”