AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott has announced the latest update in his plan to reopen the Texas economy.
On Monday, the governor revealed Phase II would allow for more businesses to open up across the Lone Star State. Gov. Abbott says the decision to reopen these businesses, or expand the capacity for some businesses already open, is unanimously supported by medical professionals.
Gov. Abbott says aside from gyms, other businesses that can reopen beginning Monday, May 18, are:
- Massage parlors other personal care/beauty services (Massage establishments, other massage services by licensed massage therapists or other licensed persons, electrolysis, waxing, tattoo studios, piercing studios, and hair loss treatment and growth services)
- Businesses in office buildings to the greater of 10 employees or 25% of the workforce (Provided employees maintain safe social distancing)
- Child care services (This refers to regulated child care centers, temporary licensed child care centers, home providers and youth development organizations.)
- Youth clubs (Youth clubs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, TOP Teens, FFA, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and Girls Inc., may hold meetings. Meetings held indoors should not exceed more than 10 individuals at any time, provided 6 feet of distance between individuals is maintained; staggering meetings to comply with the 10 individual limit is encouraged.)
Beginning Friday, May 22, the following may reopen or expand:
- Restaurants can expand to 50% capacity
- Bars, wine tasting rooms and craft breweries can reopen to 25% capacity (This doesn't pertain to outdoor areas)
- Drive-in concerts (25% capacity)
- Bowling alleys (25% capacity - Any components of the establishments or facilities that have interactive functions or exhibits, including child play areas, interactive games, and video arcades, must remain closed.)
- Bingo halls (25% capacity)
- Rodeos (Spectators are allowed, provided indoor venues limit the number of spectators to no more than 25% of the total listed occupancy of the venue, and outdoor venues may operate at up to 25% of the normal operating limits as determined by the facility owner. Larger gatherings that include a rodeo or equestrian event, such as a county fair, are not authorized at time.)
- Equestrian events (Spectators are allowed, provided indoor venues limit the number of spectators to no more than 25% of the total listed occupancy of the venue, and outdoor venues may operate at up to 25% of the normal operating limits as determined by the facility owner. Larger gatherings that include a rodeo or equestrian event, such as a county fair, are not authorized at time.)
- Skating rinks (25% capacity - Any components of the establishments or facilities that have interactive functions or exhibits, including child play areas, interactive games, and video arcades, must remain closed.)
- Zoos, aquariums and natural caverns (25% capacity - Any components of the establishments or facilities that have interactive functions or exhibits, including child play areas, interactive games, and video arcades, must remain closed.)
On May 31, youth sports camps and little league games can restart. Parents can spectate as long as social distancing is followed. Other youth camps, including all summer camps and other daytime/overnight camps, can also reopen.
Also on that day, the following professional sports may restart without spectators present:
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Auto racing
- Football
- Golf
- Softball
- Tennis
Summer school can also open for in-person sessions on June 1, as long as social distancing and other health protocols are adhered to.
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For more information on Gov. Abbott's announcement and for specific guidelines for businesses and patrons, click here.
As of Monday, at 2:45 p.m., the Texas Department of State Health Services, says 693,276 Texans have been tested for COVID-19.
REOPENING TEXAS
On April 27, Gov. Abbott announced Phase I of Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's Report to Open Texas.
MAY 1, 2020
By way of Executive Order (GA-18), all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls were permitted to reopen on Friday, May 1. These services must limit their capacity to 25% of their listed occupancy. The order also stated within shopping malls, the food-court dining areas, play areas, and interactive displays and settings must remain closed.
All museums and libraries were allowed to open under the same 25% occupancy limitation, but interactive areas of museums must remain closed. State libraries and museums were opened May 1. Single-person offices were permitted to reopen as well.
Churches and places of worship remain open. Outdoor sports are allowed to resume so long as no more than four participants are playing together at one time. Certain social distancing practices must also be followed. Local government operations, including county and municipal government operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, may reopen as determined by the local government.
RELATED: REOPENING TEXAS: What can open on May 1 and what remains closed under Phase I of Gov. Abbott's plan
MAY 8, 2020
As of Friday, May 8, cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and shops, and other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice their trade, were allowed to reopen, but all such salons, shops and establishments must ensure at least six feet of social distancing between operating workstations. Tanning salons may also reopen under the same limitation.
Also starting May 8, swimming pools were permitted to reopen subject to certain limitations, including their occupancy or operating levels.
Gov. Abbott also stated wedding venues and services required to conduct weddings could immediately open. Weddings held indoors other than at a church, congregation or house of worship must adhered to the 25% occupancy limit. Wedding reception services may also resume, but facilities were told to limit their occupancy to 25% of the total listed occupancy. These occupancy limits do not apply to the outdoor areas of a wedding reception or to outdoor wedding receptions.
MAY 18, 2020
Beginning Monday, May 18, Gov. Abbott stated office buildings could open with the greater of five or less individuals or 25% of the total office workforce. These individuals must maintain appropriate social distancing.
Gov. Abbott said gyms, exercise facilities and exercise classes are also allowed to open beginning May 18, but must operate at 25% occupancy. Locker rooms and shower facilities will remain closed, but restrooms may open.
Non-essential manufacturing services may also open, but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25%.