Updated 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 24

On March 24, Tarrant County issued an Executive Order stating that all non-essential businesses must and individuals should remain in their homes, effective through April 7, 2020. Following is a summary on the status of various City of Benbrook events and community facilities. 

We will be updating this article as new information comes in. In addition, the Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce is expected to compile a list of local eateries offering service that will be posted on their website. We will share that link as soon as it becomes available. 

City Hall, 911 Winscott Road, is closed until further notice, effective 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 24. To contact City Hall, please call 817-249-3000 or email info@benbrook-tx.gov.

City Council meetings are to take place via teleconferencing. The next meeting is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2. Information on how to participate will be provided later. 

City board and commission meetings are suspended.

The Animal Shelter is in operation but closed to the public until further notice. 4 PAWS will not be doing any adoption events. If you are interested in one of the dogs, please call Caroline at 817-372-9044. Get updates on their Facebook page.

City Parks are open. Pavilion reservations are not being accepted until further notice. The City encourages anyone visiting the parks to follow the social distancing guidelines recommended by health officials. 

The Community Center, 228 San Angelo, is closed until further notice.

The Benbrook Senior Citizen Center, 1010 Mercedes, is closed until further notice.

Municipal Court is closed until further notice. The Court is rescheduling activities, and traffic citation due dates are extended. Please see below for more information.

Census Day, scheduled for April 1, has been canceled. 

The Farmers Market, scheduled for April 5, has been canceled.

The Benbrook Community Center/YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, a separate entity from the City, is closed. Get updates on their website or Facebook page, or by calling 817-249-0500.

The Benbrook Public Library, a separate entity from the City, is closed until further notice. They have many online services available on their website and Facebook page; for  more information, call 817-249-6632.

Benbrook Water Authority, a separate entity from the City, remains open. Get updates on their website or Facebook page, or by calling 817-249-1250. 

Fort Worth Independent School District, of which Benbrook is a part, is closed until further notice. Get updates on their website or Facebook page, or by calling 817-814-2000.

The Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce has canceled all meetings and events until further notice. Get updates on their website or Facebook page, or by calling 817-249-4451.

The Benbrook Youth Baseball Softball Association has postponed the start of their season until April 11. Get updates on their website or Facebook page. 

Benbrook Municipal Court
The Court is rescheduling defendants, jurors, and witnesses set for a hearing or trial through and including April 30, 2020. The Court will send written notices when the new date, time, and location have been set. In addition, all outstanding traffic citation due dates are being extended until April 20, 2020; please keep in mind that many citations and payments can be handled on the City website.  

Monitoring the Situation
In a previous announcement regarding slowing the spread of COVID-19, Benbrook Mayor Jerry Dittrich explained, “At this time, health professionals advise social distancing. … As we get additional updates on this public health concern, we will assess the possibility of cancelling other future events. As always, our paramount concern is the health and safety of our citizens.” 

In the event of a local medical emergency, Benbrook’s public safety teams are prepared to respond quickly with the appropriate precautions. Meanwhile, City officials fully recognize the seriousness of the crisis. They are monitoring the situation daily, and will carefully consider the best course of action. To keep informed on City developments, we encourage you to subscribe to City News Flashes and other Alerts and follow us on
Facebook, Twitter, and Next Door

At all times, City officials urge citizens to follow the recommendations of public health and safety officials, remain calm, and continue to work together in the spirit of our community.

Where to Call for Help
United Way of Tarrant County has extensive information on various local resources. They also have a 2-1-1 hotline, available 24 hours daily.

For More Information about the Coronavirus
Texas Health and Human Services; the department can also be reached by dialing 211.
Tarrant County Public Health; the County has set up a coronavirus hotline, 817-248-6299 (staffed only during regular business hours)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Benbrook Police Department non-emergency: 817-249-1610
Benbrook Fire Department and Emergency Services: 249-1727
Benbrook City Hall: 817-249-3000 (staffed only during regular business hours)

In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a website providing guidance and resources in light of the pandemic. For states or territories seeking an economic injury declaration, the SBA has issued revised criteria which are designed to expand access to loans and speed the qualification process.

Minimizing Your Risk
The CDC has prepared a list of guidelines to help reduce your risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus and other respiratory illnesses. These include:

- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

- If you are sick, stay home.

The White House has prepared a set of COVID-19 guidelines titled, 15 Days to Slow the Spread. The guidelines include avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people.