DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially closed all schools in the state, including colleges and universities, for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year due to the spread of coronavirus.
All schools will be closed for rest of year, but teachers can use classroom for administrative work and online classes, according to Governor Abbott.
#BREAKING @GovAbbott announces all Texas schools closed for the remainder of the school year. https://t.co/2HPzs1wamU pic.twitter.com/vqsiAkLGgc
— 1080 KRLD (@KRLD) April 17, 2020In looking to get Texans back to work, Governor Abbott accounced his plan to reopen business in Texas on Friday.
"All stores in Texas should be able to operate retail-to go, beginning next Friday, one week from today" said Abbott. However, "retail to go" does not allow people to go into the retail stores, according to Abbott. Customers can have things delivered to their homes, or go pick them up in a drive-thru.
The Governor added that Texas business will need to open in stages. "Not all businesses can open on May 1st" said Abbott.
The Governor also established the 'Strike Force to Open Texas' - a team of nationally recognized medical experts and private and public leaders who will advise the Governor on safely and strategically reopening the state of Texas.
"Texans are battling a colossal challenge—an invisible enemy that has tested our lives and our livelihoods—but overcoming challenges is part of who we are as Texans," said Governor Abbott. "We have shown that Texas can continue our efforts to contain COVID-19 while also adopting safe standards that will allow us to begin the process of reopening Texas. The Strike Force to Open Texas brings together nationally recognized medical experts with public and private sector leaders to achieve this mission. By coming together, we can get Texans back to work, practice safe standards that will prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we can overcome this pandemic."
The Governor also announced that all Texas State Parks will reopen on Monday, April 20, but some restrictions will remain (social distancing, group size, wearing of protective gear/masks).
"We're now beginning to see glimmers that the worst of COVID-19 may soon be behind us," Abbott said.
Gov. Abbott says the existing "stay at home" order taht was issued in March will be ending on April 30th. Abbott says today's annoucement is for "additional exceptions" to that order. Abbott says he'll decide later whether to extend the stay at home order.
Abbott announced that he will provide more updates on April 27th.
