Texas cracking down on motorists traveling from Louisiana

Texas is screening motorists traveling west from Louisiana to comply with new COVID-19 rules starting Sunday, April 5.

In a Facebook post on Sunday morning, Louisiana State Police advised motorists to use caution and expect delays as they cross into Texas. Traffic and individuals related to commercial activity, military service, emergency response, health response or critical-infrastructure functions will not be stopped.

“Checkpoints and screening of vehicles leaving Louisiana related to the COVID-19 pandemic may result in traffic backups in westbound lanes of travel,” the LSP posted. “The screening of vehicles applies to all roadways crossing the LA/TX border including interstates.”

The warning to motorists is in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order of March 29, which states: “Every person who enters the State of Texas through roadways from Louisiana, or from any other state as may be proclaimed hereafter, shall be subject to mandatory self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into Texas or the duration of the person’s presence in Texas, whichever is shorter”

“Using a form to be prescribed by [the Louisiana Department of Public Safety], each covered person shall designate a quarantine location in Texas, such as a residence or a hotel, and provide a full name, date of birth, home address, telephone number, and driver license or passport information,” the order continued. “DPS Troopers, or other approved peace officers, will collect a completed form from a covered person and verify it against the person’s driver license or passport.”

There is no indication that motorists will be tested for COVID-19; however, anyone showing symptoms of the virus will be escorted to their designated quarantine location by a Texas trooper.

To read the executive order, visit the Texas governor’s website.