Restaurants, Stores, Malls, Movie Theaters Can Re-open May 1 at Reduced Capacity

At a press conference on April 27, Gov. Abbott unveiled a phased plan to open businesses. He shared that he will allow the Stay-at-Home order to expire on April 30 and that restaurants, retail stores, malls, and movie theaters can reopen on May 1 with a 25% capacity.  Abbott also said non-contact sports like golf and tennis will be allowed to resume for groups of four or less, and that libraries and museums could open at 25% capacity (hands-on demonstrations must remain closed).

 

If there has not been a spike in COVID-19 cases after two weeks, Phase 2 could expand capacity to 50%.

 

Barbershops, salons, bars, and gyms were not included as part of the Phase 1 openings.

 

People over the age of 65, however, 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.

 

In providing or obtaining essential services or reopened services, people and businesses should follow the minimum standard health protocols recommended by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), found at www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus, and should implement social distancing, work from home if possible, and practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation. This includes also following, to the extent not inconsistent with the DSHS minimum standards, the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, as well as other CDC recommendations. 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.

 

Abbott said his new guidelines supersede any local orders, but still encourages Texans to abide by CDC safe distancing measures.