Latest phase has little effect locally

By Donnie A. Lucas

County judge Robert Skelton reported updated COVID-19 testing numbers for the county on Monday, with 27 of the 28 tests administered returning negative and one still pending.

The county’s one positive case, which was officially reported last week, is no longer active, and that person has been released from home isolation, according to the judge.

Skelton said that the total includes the number of tests completed locally by the Shackelford County Health Clinic and ResourceCare, along with the 13 tests conducted during a mobile testing clinic held May 10 at the Law Enforcement Center.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced continued easing of restrictions on Monday during a press conference, although few of the newest provisions affect the county or the Albany community.

“The governor is continuing to open the state up in a phased-in manner,” Albany mayor Susan Montgomery said on Tuesday. “Most of the latest changes don’t affect us much because we were already at a lower level of restrictions based on only having one positive case in the county.”

Because of several calls received this week at City Hall, Montgomery explained that until June 1, groups of five or less can practice on local ballfields.Starting June 1, both practices and games will be allowed for full teams.

Albany restaurants and certain other businesses have been able to reopen with a 50 percent occupancy level because there have been fewer than five positive cases. Other counties with more than five cases were first allowed a 25 percent occupancy level.

Also new this week was the announcement that youth sports camps, overnight camps, and professional sports (without fans) can resume on May 31. Youth baseball or softball programs will also be allowed to start practicing on June 1, with games commencing on June 15.

The Albany Fitness Factory was able to reopen on Monday for the first time in several weeks as part of Phase II of the governor’s plan.

“There are a few restrictions such as limiting the number of people to 20 or less at the same time, but that shouldn’t be a problem,” owner Melissa Hobbs said. “Everyone will have to wear gloves and clean the equipment both before and after each use.”

Hobbs said that cleaning supplies and latex gloves will be available, or members can use their own gloves. She added that wearing masks is optional.

Local beauty shops and barbers, along with nail salons, were able to start accepting appointments on Friday, May 8. Operators are still requiring appointments, with walk-ins subject to restrictions to ensure social distancing.

Montgomery said that she is pleased with the way local residents have responded to the closures and safeguards that are being required.

“I commend Albany people for doing their part so well,” she said. “It is because of the response of the community to protect against the spread of the virus that we are now able to open back up.”

She stressed that social distancing, wearing face masks or coverings, and hand washing is still very important.

“The rules are in place to protect us all, so let’s continue be good neighbors,” she said. 

The mayor also reported that local economic recovery grants offered by the Albany Economic Development Board have been awarded to 21 local businesses.

Thus far, $46,500 of the $50,000 total that was allocated from the city’s A board sales tax revenue has been given to 21 local businesses in an attempt to bolster the local economy and support businesses that have been affected.

The governor announced Monday that day care centers could reopen immediately. However, Albany’s First Love Day Care has remained open during the pandemic due to an exemption.