Roger Estlack

New restrictions are in place this week for people visiting Greenbelt Lake after the reservoir reopened to a large crowd last weekend.

Greenbelt Water Authority General Manager Bobbie Kidd said the lake was very busy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with perhaps as many as 1,500 people there on Saturday.

With the COVID-19 virus still active in the area, Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, asked the lake to observe Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-18 and to follow the lead of state parks, which are operating only from dawn to dusk and with no overnight camping.

Lake officials say they have been following the governor’s orders and also say that even though the lake is private property, they are complying with the judge’s request.

“We feel it is in the best interest of Donley County,” the water authority said in a statement.

As of now, there is only “day use” of the lake until further notice. No groups of more than five are allowed, and social distancing must still be practiced.

No overnight camping is permitted at Greenbelt. Customers can still shop, three at a time, in the Marina for bait, tackle, groceries, ice, and permits. Lake officials have been and will continue to sanitize touchable surfaces in the store frequently.

“If you are sick (with anything), if you have been directly exposed and tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting test results or you are positive for COVID-19 and are quarantined for either reason, don’t come to the lake,” the water authority’s statement said. “Help us help everyone stay healthy.”

Kidd said the lake intends to limit attendance this weekend to 500 people at each of the north and south entrances and admission will be on a first come, first served basis.

Greenbelt is also telling its licensed spaces holders that only people who live in their households are permitted in those spaces. No group cookouts or gatherings or going to other trailers will be allowed, and the water authority says licensees who violate that order may lose their lease.

Click here for the complete text of Greenbelt’s order.

One new case of COVID-19 was reported in Donley County last Friday, May 1, but the number of negative test results has grown to 74 this week, according to Judge John Howard, MD.

Clarendon Family Medical Center had conducted 95 tests on local residents as of Tuesday afternoon. One of those remained pending, but 74 were negative. Twenty local tests have come back positive, and five other local residents have tested positive at facilities outside the county.

“We’re conducting fewer tests because we’re not seeing as many sick people,” Howard said. “That’s good news for us.”
Of the positive cases, twenty-one have been listed as “recovered.” Howard says it’s possible that as many as three of the remaining four positive cases may be recovered also, but those are not under the care of the local clinic.

The new case reported on Friday appeared to be a result of “household spread,” Howard said, with the patient catching the virus from a family member with the disease during quarantine.

While COVID-19 in Donley County seems to have flattened out, cases in the Amarillo metro area and in Moore County have gone up dramatically. City officials in Amarillo announced last week that federal resources are being brought in to help manage the virus outbreak in there, and the state health department is taking over the cases in Moore County.
Amarillo media reported 75 new cases on Monday bringing the total in Potter and Randall counties to 1,172.

Howard still urges everyone to continue to follow social distancing guidelines and says older folks should continue to limit going out.

Also this week, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that hair salons and barbers would be allowed to reopen on Friday with gyms being able to open on Monday.

“If Texans stop using the distancing strategies we have been utilizing in the past month, they will cause an increase in COVID transmission,” Abbott said. “If that happens, it will lead to some counties having to impose stricter requirements.”

The Texas Tribune reported that Abbott’s announcement “came as the number of coronavirus cases in Texas increased to at least 33,369, including 906 deaths, according to the latest numbers from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The virus is present in 216 out of the state’s 254 counties.”

The Mulkey Theatre will reopen this weekend to feature “Trolls: World Tour” while following social distancing guidelines set out by the state.

Seating will be limited to 25 percent capacity, and the balcony will be closed. Patrons will be asked to pay for their movie tickets and concessions at the ticket window and may come inside as their concession order is ready.

Once inside, parties are asked to skip every other row and to keep at least two seats between each household or party.

Movie times will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Doors will open 30 minutes before show time, and tickets may be purchased online at MulkeyTheatre.com.

Clarendon and Hedley High Schools will be holding graduation exercises at the Sandell Drive-In this year as the COVID-19 virus continues to impact lives and activities.

Clarendon High School graduation will be held Friday, May 22, at 8:45 p.m., and Hedley’s ceremony will follow on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Sandell owner John Morrow said Hedley reached out first about using the drive-in to hold graduation and later Clarendon called. Social distancing requirements designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are prohibiting large gatherings of people in places like gyms and auditoriums.

“They are making some really good plans,” Morrow said of the two school. “It’s gonna be different, but it’s better than not having graduation.”

Morrow said the schools will use a gooseneck trailer as a stage, which has been in place for the last few weeks for a community worship service. Both schools are also planning to project images and video on the Sandell big screen.

Clarendon Principal Larry Jeffers said gates will open at 7:45 p.m. for guests, and CHS is encouraging students and parents to decorate their vehicle appropriately. CHS senior parents are also asked to ride in the vehicle with their graduate to ensure they get a good space.

CHS student vehicles will drive forward for the student to exit and then drive to the other end of the stage to pick up the student. Parents can get out of the vehicle when it has reached the other end of the stage and take a picture of the student receiving their diplomas and then return to the vehicle. The student will come on stage, receive their diploma and/or awards, exit the stage, get back into their vehicle and return to their parking space.

Graduation organizers remind everyone that the audio for the service will be broadcast over FM radio. If you are unable to listen to the radio and keep your headlights off, you should bring a portable radio.

Hedley Suprintendent Garrett Bains said participants and guests will remain in their cars at the drive-in but otherwise they would try to have as “normal” a graduation service as possible.

A video will be played on the Sandell screen, and Bains said the school is working on a plan to allow the seniors to come forward, one at a time, to receive their diplomas, since there are only six seniors in the class.