Gov. Abbott Opens More Businesses
Published:
<< Back to NewsWed 5/6/20
On Tuesday, May 5, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-21 that expanded the reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster. Some of the highlights of the order include:
- Effective Friday, May 8: Cosmetology salons, hair salons, nail salons, tanning salons and barber shops will be allowed to open with restrictions, including one customer per stylist and appropriate social distancing. The governor also strongly recommended masks for both stylists and customers, and using a reservation system to avoid grouping of walk-ins in waiting areas.
- Effective Monday, May 18: Gyms and exercise facilities will be able to reopen with 25% capacity. Initial restrictions will include showers and locker rooms remaining closed, requirements for customers to wear gloves covering their whole hand, and the disinfection of all equipment after each use. Social distancing will be required as well, and any equipment brought in (such as a yoga mat), must be disinfected before and after use.
- Non-essential manufacturing and other offices will be welcome to reopen Monday, May 18 as long as they operate at up to the greater of either five employees or 25% of their workforce, provided employees maintain appropriate social distancing.
- Guidelines are still being worked out for bars, and the governor has requested that owners reach out to provide feedback.
- The 25% capacity for restaurants does not apply to patios, but you still must maintain social distancing.
- Weddings, funerals, memorials, and burials may now take place with the same regulations as religious services for seating arrangements, with receptions following the regulations of restaurants
- Rules that apply to public parks also apply to beaches, lakes, and rivers – must maintain six feet of separation and limited to a household or no more than 5 in a group.
You can find the Open Texas Checklists for minimum health protocols here.
People over the age of 65 are strongly encouraged to stay at home as much as possible; to maintain appropriate distance from any member of the household who has been out of the residence in the previous 14 days; and, if leaving the home, to implement social distancing and to practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation per CDC recommendations.
All individuals are encouraged to wear appropriate face coverings, but no jurisdiction can impose a civil or criminal penalty for failure to wear a face covering.
You can find additional information on Addison's COVID-19 efforts at www.AddisonTexas.net/covid19.
