AUSTIN (KRLD 1080) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott says all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls that have been closed in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 can re-open on Friday, May 1st - with conditions. It's part of the Governor's three-phase plan for re-opening the Texas economy.
"To minimize the spread of COVID-19 during Phase One, on the advice of doctors I am limiting occupancy to no more than 25%," Gov. Abbott said. "This is a proven business strategy. It's the type of practice successfully used by HEB and Home Depot. The extent to which this order opens up businesses in Texas supersedes all local orders."
The Governor says the state will continue to monitor COVID-19 infection rates. "If Phase One works while containing COVID-19, Phase Two will expand that occupancy to 50%. Further increases will be allowed in the future so long as COVID-19 remains contained," the Governor said. "This order allows these businesses to re-open. It does not require them to do so."
Gov. Abbott is also posting his plan on the Governor's Office web site: gov.texas.gov/opentexas