El Paso County's judge has ordered nonessential businesses to close to slow coronavirus spread. The

[TexasTowelie]

El Paso County’s judge has ordered nonessential businesses to close to slow coronavirus spread. The Texas attorney general says he can’t do that.

by Julián Aguilar, Texas Tribune


EL PASO — El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego ordered a two-week shutdown Thursday of nonessential businesses in this border area to help curb the record-breaking rise of COVID-19 cases that have overwhelmed hospitals. But Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office swiftly challenged the judge's ability to issue the shutdown, setting up a potential legal battle, and El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said Samaniego never consulted him about that plan.

Samaniego's order comes after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide executive order in September allowing some nonessential businesses to reopen to 75% capacity.

"El Paso County Judge Samaniego has no authority to shut down businesses in El Paso County," Paxton's office said in a tweet. "This is a direct violation of @GovAbbott’s executive order. My office is quickly exploring all legal actions."

The county judge said at a virtual press conference he believed he was on solid legal ground to issue the latest order, which he acknowledged was a rare move in light of what the rest of the state is doing.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/29/el-paso-coronavirus-shutdown/

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I'm in northern New Mexico, but within the last week or so

I've seen advisories to those who live in Las Cruces not to go to El Paso.