Texas Governor Greg Abbott, at a news conference held in Austin Monday, says the next phase of the “safe and strategic” opening will begin this week, greenlighting childcare, bars, office buildings, and sports. Abbott also noted that in places where the science doesn’t fit, those areas will move along more slowly, including Amarillo and El Paso. Texas is reopening and notes that it has the lowest mortality rate of any of the big states.
Texas’ businesses will continue to reopen under the governor’s Open Texas plan. On Monday, gyms, non-essential manufacturing and other facilities were allowed to resume operations under 25 percent occupancy. Restaurants in DFW will be allowed up to 50 percent occupancy on May 22. Abbott said youth sports and overnight camps can resume, along with professional sports.
Beginning today, youth clubs, like the Boys & Girls Club, may also resume meeting with social distancing guidelines in place. On May 8, some beauty services were allowed to reopen their doors, and today tattoo and piercing studios, massage parlors, waxing services and more can also open along with similar guidelines.
The governor said Monday that COVID-19 is still present and infecting people. He noted that there will be hotspots and that there will be an increase in cases. Abbott also said that leaders at all levels will be watching to see an increased number of occupied beds and can make adjustments as needed.
The governor reminded Texans that “safe practices save lives” and that to protect the most vulnerable, those over the age of 65 and those who have other health conditions, everyone must continue to keep up social distancing practices. Washing hands frequently and wearing a face covering when appropriate when out in public.
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