COVID-19: “Non-Essential” Travel From Louisiana Requires 14-Day Quarantine

Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive ordering quarantine for persons entering Texas from Louisiana. That would include Texans entering into Louisiana and returning. The following passage is directly from the order.

Every person who enters the State of Texas through roadways from Louisiana, or from any other state as may be proclaimed hereafter, shall be subject to mandatory self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into Texas or the duration of the person’s presence in Texas, whichever is shorter.  This order to self-quarantine shall not apply to people traveling in connection with commercial activity, military service, emergency response, health response, or critical-infrastructure functions, as may be determined by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.  Each person covered by this order to self-quarantine shall be responsible for all associated costs, including transportation, lodging, food, and medical care.

According to the Governor’s office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) shall enforce this executive order along the Texas-Louisiana border.

Using a form to be prescribed by DPS, each covered person shall designate a quarantine location in Texas, such as a residence or a hotel, and provide a full name, date of birth, home address, telephone number, and driver license or passport information.  DPS Troopers, or other approved peace officers, will collect a completed form from a covered person and verify it against the person’s driver license or passport.  Providing false information on this form is a criminal offense under Section 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code.  Questions about this form should be directed to DPS by calling (800) 525-5555.

A covered person shall proceed directly to the designated quarantine location entered on the DPS form.  Any covered person exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 shall be escorted to the designated quarantine location by a DPS Trooper.

A covered person shall remain in the designated quarantine location for a period of 14 days or the duration of the person’s presence in Texas, whichever is shorter, leaving only to seek medical care or to depart from Texas.  During that period, a covered person shall not allow visitors into or out of the designated quarantine location, other than a health department employee, physician, or health care provider, and shall not visit any public spaces.

DPS Special Agents will conduct unannounced visits to designated quarantine locations to verify compliance by confirming the physical presence of covered persons.  Any failure to comply with this order to self-quarantine shall be a criminal offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days or both.

This executive order shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by the governor.

At the time of this writing (11 p.m. 3/30) at least one Louisiana resident told us they entered in Texas with no trouble three times on Monday. The exact details of how this is being enforced is not clear. We will provide an update when we find out more.

TF&G Staff Reports