The Texas Capitol has reopened for the first time since March of 2020. The Capitol opened Monday morning, and the state legislature will begin its biennial session Tuesday, January 12.
The State Preservation Board says the Capitol will be open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Capitol will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays for cleaning.
"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety protocols have been put in place to allow for the Capitol’s reopening while maintaining a safe environment for all visitors, lawmakers, and staff," Governor Greg Abbott's office wrote in a statement.
The State Preservation Board says only the north entrance will be open to the public, and no tours will take place. Here is a complete list of protocols:
- The public may only enter via the north door of the Capitol.
- COVID-19 testing is highly recommended and easily accessible on the north plaza at no expense.
- No personal data will be collected.At this time, a mask worn over the mouth and nose is required at all times inside the building.
- Public visitor capacity limits will be observed and social distancing required in all public areas at all times.
- All deliveries must be left at the loading dock.
- No delivery personnel are allowed beyond the loading dock or to enter through the public entrance.
- No public tours or groups or sponsored event space will be available.
Members of the Texas House and Senate will manage public access to their offices. The legislature is still finalizing plans to conduct business when the 87th session begins next Tuesday.
Monday Morning, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick released protocols for the Texas Senate:
- As always, guest seating for the opening day ceremonial session of the Texas Senate will be allocated by each of the 31 senators. This year the Lt. Governor and the senators have decided to limit floor seating to one family member at each senator’s desk. There will be no floor seating outside the brass rail or anywhere else on the Senate floor. This differs from past years when the Senate Chamber floor was fully in use for family and guest seating.
- Each senator will be given 3 tickets for seats in the Senate Gallery for their family and/or constituents. This will limit the seating in the Senate Gallery to less than a hundred guests and will ensure space for proper social distancing.
- Senators have agreed to be tested for COVID-19 when entering the capitol. Staff members will be tested as well.
- Opening day guests of senators will also be tested for COVID-19. The testing is free and will yield results in 15 minutes or less. No personal data will be collected or kept regarding results.
- On opening day, all Senate guests must enter through the capitol’s east entrance, where testing will be done.
- Senators have agreed to a much shorter opening day ceremony to reduce the time spent in a large gathering. The Senate is reducing all ceremonial events and gatherings this session to focus solely on their constitutional legislative duties.
- On opening day and throughout the session, most Senate offices will be open by appointment only to facilitate social distancing in their relatively small offices and to protect both the public and their staff.
- A pool of 4 members of the media who have been given credentials by the Texas Senate will be allowed in the East Gallery on opening day – as they will be for the regular session. Media will be notified of the pool rotation prior to opening day. Pool media will be escorted to their seats prior to the Senate session opening and escorted out after the Senate session ends.
- All members of the media will be required to be tested for COVID-19 to enter the capitol.
"In addition to keeping everyone safe, we also want to avoid a potential shutdown due to the virus so we can carry out our constitutional duties over the next several months," Patrick's office writes.