On April 7, the Fort Worth City Council extended the emergency declaration that was originally signed by Mayor Betsy Price on Monday, April 6, 2020 to implement stay home, work safe restrictions to help combat the spread and impact of COVID-19 on the City of Fort Worth.

This action extends the declaration through April 30, 2020.

• Individuals are to stay at home. However, individuals may leave their residences for essential travel, essential activities or to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. This includes traveling to work at an essential business, traveling for the health of yourself or another person, leaving to get food and supplies, or getting outside to exercise.
• To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from any other person. This does not require a household or living unit to social distance when at home.
• Essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other establishments that sell household goods will remain open but must enforce social distancing. A list of essential and non-essential businesses is below. For specific information about businesses, call 817-392-8478 or email Covid19@FortWorthTexas.gov. To request that a business be added as an Essential Business, contact the Texas Division of Emergency Management via email at EssentialServices@tdem.texas.gov. Information is also available at tdem.texas.gov/essentialservices.
• In-house dining at restaurants is prohibited. Restaurants with or without drive-in or drive-through services; drive-in restaurants; drive-through restaurants; liquor stores; and microbreweries, micro-distilleries; or wineries may only provide take out, delivery or drive-in or drive-through services, as allowed by law.
• All businesses operating within the City of Fort Worth, except essential businesses, are required to close to the public.
• Businesses that are closed to the public may continue operations consisting exclusively of the following, as long as social distancing of a least six feet is maintained between all employees and contractors during the activities:
  • Maintain the value of the business’s inventory or equipment, process payroll and employee benefits, maintain the premises and the security of the premises, equipment or inventory, including the care and maintenance of livestock or animals;
  • IT or other operations that facilitate employees working from home; and
  • Facilitate online or call-in sales; and/or perform in-store repair services
• All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited. This declaration does not prohibit the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
• All elective medical procedures are prohibited, with limited exceptions.
• If someone in a household has tested positive for COVID-19, the household is ordered to isolate at home.
• Nursing homes, retirement and long-term care facilities are to prohibit non-essential visitors from accessing their facilities unless to provide critical assistance or for end-of-life visitation.
• All in-person worship services remain prohibited, with the exception of worship support staff to facilitate online services.

For specific questions about businesses, call 817-392-8478 or email COVID19@FortWorthTexas.gov. For more information visit http://fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19.

Congress recently approved the CARES Act, a federal bill to provide economic relief for individuals and businesses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One major component of the CARES Act is the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program, which provides small businesses with enough funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. These funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities.

These funds come in the form of loans that may be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. Loan payments will be deferred for six months, and no collateral or personal guarantees are required. Small businesses will not be charged fees by either government or lenders.

Important points to keep in mind:

• Loan forgiveness depends on businesses keeping employees on the payroll, or rehiring employees quickly, while maintaining salary levels. At least 75% of the loan amount must be used for payroll expenses in order for the loan to be fully forgiven, and loan forgiveness will be reduced if salaries decrease, or if the number of full-time employees declines.

• All small businesses are eligible. This means a business with 500 employees or less, and includes nonprofits, veterans’ organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors.

• All loans will have the same terms, regardless of the lender or borrower.

• Unemployment benefits have been extended to self-employed workers, independent contractors, and those with limited work history. Unemployment insurance provisions now include an additional $600 per week payment to each recipient for up to four months.

When and how to apply

Contact your financial institution to determine when they expect to start processing applications. Apply as quickly as possible, as there is a funding cap.

Business owners can download the application online, fill it out, and take it to any existing SBA 7(a) lending partner, federally insured bank, or federally insured credit union to officially file it. (These institutions may allow for submission via email on their website.) Business owners may be asked to provide their tax and payroll information, as well as information about their rent and utility costs.

SBA Disaster Loans

In addition to the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program, businesses can also apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the U.S. Small Business Association, or SBA.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide targeted, low-interest recovery loans of up to $2 million to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and some private nonprofit organizations. As of March 20, businesses throughout the entire state of Texas can apply.

Important points to keep in mind about SBA Loans:

• The CARES Act, mentioned previously, also includes an opportunity to get up to a $10,000 advance on an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. This advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and it will be forgiven. If you wish to apply for the advance on your EIDL, visit the SBA website as soon as possible to fill out a new, streamlined application. In order to qualify for the advance, you’ll need to submit a new application even if you previously submitted one already. Applying for the advance will not impact the status of, or slow down your existing application.

• The SBA offers other financial solutions, such as:
  • The 7(a) program, which offers loan amounts up to $5,000 for working capital, purchase of equipment, fixtures, refinancing debt, seasonal line of credit, inventory, starting a business, and more.
  • The Express Loan program, which provides loans up to $350,000 for no more than seven years with an option to resolve. The approval/denial of these loans has a turnaround time of 36 hours, and proceeds can be used for the same things as an 7(a) loan.
  • The Community Advantage Loan pilot program allows mission-based lenders to assist small businesses in under-served markets with a maximum loan of $250,000.
• Businesses can apply for both the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program and an EIDL loan, so long as each loan covers different operational costs.

For more information about these and other financial resources for businesses in Fort Worth, keep an eye on the city’s COVID-19 Business Resources page, which is being updated as information becomes available.

A hotline established for the COVID-19 outbreak has proven to be a popular way for Fort Worth residents and business owners to learn news and information about the virus and its effects on everyday life.

During the week of March 22-29, 1,995 calls and 744 emails were handled by call-takers in the Consumer Health Division of the city’s Code Compliance Department. Staff members in other city departments also provided answers to questions in their area of expertise.

The hotline, which operates 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, can provide basic information about the virus and its symptoms, information for businesses affected by the ongoing shutdown, information on how to report a violation of the stay-at-home order and other topics. Responses are available in English and Spanish.

Contact the hotline at 817-392-8478 or by email.

Other information sources

• For questions about COVID-19 and how to limit its spread: 817-248-6299 (This number is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.)
• For questions related to city services changes, contact the City Call Center: 817-392-1234; 1234@FortWorthTexas.gov
• An email address is available for residents and businesses: COVID19@FortWorthTexas.gov
• Comprehensive website for information on the virus and available city services

The Fort Worth Police Department has received numerous false claims across its social media platforms indicating Fort Worth police officers are enforcing “stay-at-home” checkpoints by pulling drivers over and asking for work documentation.

These claims are not accurate.

The FWPD is not and will not enforce these types of traffic stops. If an officer makes a traffic stop, it will be for an observed traffic violation or for investigation of another criminal offense.

In this time of social distancing, there is still plenty of need for people to maintain their mental and physical health. Exercising outdoors – especially on beautiful spring days – helps our well-being and is critical in times like these.

Keep in mind; Fort Worth parks, trails and open spaces are still open and available to enjoy. However, residents are encouraged to comply with the recommended six-foot social distancing barrier at all times.

Some pointers to remember when you’re enjoying Fort Worth’s robust collection of parks and open spaces:

• Warn others of your presence to ensure that six-foot barrier.
• Prepare before heading outdoors to avoid water fountains and restrooms. Take along a full water bottle and some snacks, if you’d like.
• Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid playgrounds in Fort Worth parks. With 205 playgrounds and more than 1,000 separate playground units in Fort Worth, the option of sanitizing after each visit is not sustainable.
• Visit parks for brief periods of time, allowing others to use the space safely.

Park & Recreation service adjustments

All community centers and the Haws Athletic Center are closed.

All spring youth and adult sports programs are canceled. All field use reservations have been canceled through May 1.

Log Cabin Village is closed.

Fort Worth Dream Park and Patricia LeBlanc Park have been closed until further notice.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is closed until further notice.

The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is closed.

Both ZBonz and Fort Woof Dog Parks are closed until further notice. On-leash dogs are welcome to continue visiting parks and trails as long as the six-foot social distancing barrier is maintained.

Posted March 17, 2020 | Last updated April 8, 2020

Visit Fort Worth has unveiled a new and improved webpage to showcase Fort Worth restaurants that offer curbside and delivery service during social distancing.

The updated version includes the ability to browse specific cuisines and regions of Fort Worth. The page now also features more than 300 local restaurants and new search filters that include: takeout, delivery, alcohol, groceries, gift cards and cash-only.

Traffic to the page soared in March with more than 50,000 views – more than twice the normal traffic – reflecting the community’s interest in supporting local restaurants.

“We appreciate the support that Visit Fort Worth is showing our vulnerable restaurant community during this time,” said Jon Bonnell, chef and owner of The Bonnell’s Restaurant Group. “Local restaurants are trying desperately to get creative and stay afloat. This is our first pandemic too, and we are all just trying to adjust and survive. The more the community knows about how to safely support their local restaurants, the better chance we have of recovering someday.”

Visit Fort Worth is promoting the restaurants webpage locally through targeted digital ads and social media. The video “In It Together” showcases the restaurant community and is part of the promotion effort.

“We are dedicating marketing resources to help our community during this unprecedented time,” said Mitch Whitten, executive vice president of marketing and strategy for Visit Fort Worth. “Local cuisine is one of the top reasons people travel and we want to support and preserve this important part of our city and visitor experience.”

In addition to the restaurants page, Visit Fort Worth has released 10 blogs to encourage followers to virtually experience Fort Worth during social distancing, a small-business resource page, an events updates page and a creative industry fundraiser in partnership with the United Way of Tarrant County. Links to each can be found on the Visit Fort Worth homepage.

Restaurateurs can submit their information to be added to the page by emailing Austin James.

The city has replaced the Nixle emergency alert system with Fort Worth Texas Alerts.

Residents can register for free alerts, and in the event of community emergencies, an emergency alert will be sent by text or email. Or residents can sign up for optional weather warning alerts via text, email or voice calls.

The city’s Fire Department Office of Emergency Management manages the emergency alert system designed to be one of the tools used to alert residents of hazardous conditions.

https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF3B0A05197C

UNT Health Science Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new brand identity and logo that emphasizes its commitment to Fort Worth and innovative spirit for the next 50 years.

“This is a transformative moment for the Health Science Center,” UNTHSC President Dr. Michael R. Williams said. “The new visual identity honors five decades of improving health in Fort Worth and allows us to better tell the story of our innovative, entrepreneurial institution that is defining and producing the providers of the future.”

The university partnered with higher education branding expert Carnegie-Dartlet to audit its previous brand and discovered that the prominent use of UNT in the logo caused considerable confusion about whether the school’s location was in Fort Worth or Denton.

After gathering input from faculty, staff, students and community members, a new logo was created emphasizing the letters “hsc” and featuring a new vibrant color scheme and stylized version of the compass rose, which symbolizes the university’s commitment to its values.

The Health Science Center was founded in 1970 as the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine by three Fort Worth physicians determined to help deliver high-quality health care in Fort Worth. Since then, the health science center has grown to six schools training future physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, pharmacists, public health professionals and scientists to work together as a high-performing team.

More recently, the Health Science Center embarked on an ambitious campaign to instill a mindset of innovation and entrepreneurship in students and faculty in all six schools. Last year, the Health Science Center incorporated entrepreneurship courses into its curriculums and teamed with Fort Worth venture capital firm Bios Partners to create an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program to assist with technology commercialization and entrepreneurship.

UNT Health Science Center is located on 33 acres in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District.

Between March 12 and March 20, invitations to participate in the 2020 Census will start arriving in households in Fort Worth and across the country.

“The Census Bureau is ready for the nation to respond next month,” said Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham. “Millions of Americans are applying for 2020 Census jobs, more than 270,000 local and national organizations are engaged, and in less than 30 days the majority of U.S. households will receive an invitation to respond to help ensure that every person in the U.S. is counted.”

“The 2020 Census is on mission, on schedule and on budget to promote an accurate count,” Dillingham said. “Response is important because statistics from the census are used in distributing where hundreds of billions in funding for school lunches, hospitals, roads and much more. The invitations will remind respondents to include everyone living in the household, whether they are related or not. This includes young children. Your response will impact communities for the next decade.”

The invitation will include instructions on how to respond to the 2020 Census online or by phone. By April 1, most households will have received an invitation delivered either by mail or by a census taker. In areas of the country that are less likely to respond online, a paper questionnaire will be included in the initial mailing to households. Reminder mailings will be sent to households that do not respond, and in the fourth mailing every household that has not yet responded will receive a paper questionnaire.

Once households receive invitations, residents should respond to the 2020 Census by using the provided Census ID. If a household is unable to enter the Census ID, people can still respond, by providing an address. Whether people respond online, by phone or by mail, it is important to respond right away.

Census timeline

Here is a timeline of how and when the Census Bureau will invite households to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire:

March 12-20: Initial invitations to respond online and by phone will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Areas that are less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire along with the invitation to respond online or over the phone.

March 16-24: Reminder letters will be delivered.

March 26-April 3: Reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not responded.

April 8-16: Reminder letters and paper questionnaires will bed elivered to remaining households that have not responded.

April 20-27: Final reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not yet responded before census takers follow up in person.

If a household does not respond to any of the invitations, a census taker will follow up in person sometime between May 13 and July 31.

Most Fort Worth residents are satisfied with city services, although they would like to see more emphasis placed on street maintenance and a continued emphasis on public safety services.

Those are the major findings of the latest community survey, conducted last fall by ETC Institute of Olathe, Kan.

The survey’s purpose was to assess residents’ satisfaction with the delivery of major city services and to help determine priorities as part of the city’s ongoing planning process. Of the households that received a survey, 1,820 completed the survey. At least 200 households were surveyed in each of the city’s eight council districts.

Nearly three-fourths of respondents indicated they were satisfied with the quality of life in Fort Worth.

Major findings:

• Fort Worth continues to receive high ratings for the overall quality of life and quality of city services. Satisfaction with the city as a place to live, raise children and work is much higher than most other large cities.
• Satisfaction is high for most city services, but there are some areas where the city can do better. Respondents were most satisfied with fire protection services, parks and recreation, libraries, and water and sewer services. Residents were most dissatisfied with roadway project delivery and street maintenance.
• City employees get high ratings from residents in all areas of the city. The city functions that residents indicated they contact most often were trash, recycling and yard waste services.
• Maintenance of streets, public safety and traffic flow are the top priorities to residents. Residents thought the most important transportation service to emphasize was the maintenance of major city streets.

View the complete survey results here.