Posted on 04/27/2020 1:29:37 PM PDT by EyesOfTX
After being criticized for two weeks as he allowed other state governors to get in front of him in opening their economies, Texas Governor Greg Abbott finally announced at a Monday press conference that he will allow major new business reopenings in his state beginning May 1.
Here are the Highlights:
Abbott said he would allow the stay-at-home order issued on April 1 to expire as scheduled at midnight, April 30.
What the Governor refers to as Phase 1 reopenings will include businesses such as restaurants, theaters, salons, retailers and shopping malls being able to open their doors but limiting customer traffic to 25% of their allowed capacity.
In less-populated counties that have experienced 5 or fewer Wuhan Virus cases thus far (which includes more than half of the states 254 counties), businesses will be allowed up to 50% of capacity.
Also allowed to reopen on May are licensed medical practitioners such as doctors and dentists.
Hospitals will also be allowed to take in additional patients and perform more elective surgical procedures, so long as they continue to reserve 15% of their bed space for COVID-19 patients.
The Governor conditions these reopenings on the continued observation of social distancing guidelines that have been in effect since mid-March, and recommends but does not require citizens to wear masks while venturing outside the home.
He also specifically notes that his guidelines supersede local orders. This would specifically include the order issued last week by Harris County Judge Lina Hildalgo requiring her citizens to wear masks, subject to arrest and fines. Abbott noted that his order disallows local officials the ability to impose such penalties in their local orders.
Gov. Abbott also said that sports activities will be allowed to resume on May 1, but only to the extent that they involve no more than 4 participants. So basically, were talking about golf, tennis and other similar sports.
All of that and more is part of Phase 1. I will update this piece with further information as it comes available.
The Governor also discussed Phase 2 of his plan, which would begin effective May 18, if and its an important IF the data shows that the state has not seen an increase in the number of Wuhan Virus cases in the two weeks following the beginning of Phase 1 on May 1.
Phase 2 would include the opening of additional businesses, the increasing of capacity usage, and the allowance of additional sports activities involving more participants. It would also include permission to hold summer camps subject to social distancing guidelines.
All in all, the Governors plan is exactly what millions of Texans have been waiting to hear from him in recent days: An aggressive, strategic approach to reopening Texass economy in a way that makes sense, and clearly demonstrates an awareness of the geographic and demographic diversity of this giant state. Obviously, the voices of those Texans have been heard in Austin, and the Governor and his Strike Force responded in a way that makes sense for everyone.
Its nice to have some good news to report for a change.
God Bless Texas.
That is all.
I prefer the Sam Shovel routines.
Yes.
If restaurants would rope off half their parking lots and set up tables with Umbrellas, they’d be Busy as Heck !!!
Already posted.....
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DB has to get his three articles per day posted on the forum.
Life goes on with or without them..... Take care
Oh I see. Well, there are plenty like him.
Freepers who don’t take the time to see that an article has already been posted - sometimes 3 or 4 times - yet they see it somewhere else. So they have to rush right over here to Free Republic to post it.
Again.
Watch out, El Puta Politico O’Rourke and the rest of the Progressive scum will definitely be out patrolling to ensure everyone suffers the same fate as those in the Progressive ghettos.
No, the lockdowns were never to stop anyone from dying! It was to make sure everyone could be treated.
Oh, that doesn't matter.
This jackass just wants eyes on HIM.
We all know he rips off the material.
Awesome news!
Flights are cheap. No TSA hassles. Just start coughing on them.
Texas vet here, hoping someday I can repatriate.
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