Beauty Salons, restaurants, and more were able to start reopening last Friday, May 8, 2020, after Governor Abbott made a proclamation on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.
Keeping with his promise to reopen Texas, Governor Abbott allowed even more businesses to reopen at a 25% occupancy rate throughout the state, with plans for more next week.
Open Now
Opened on Monday, April 27,2020:
–In-store retail stores
–Dine-In restaurants
–Movie Theatres
–Shopping Malls
–Museums
–Libraries
–Golf Course
–Wedding Venues and Reception locations
The businesses allowed to open as of Friday, May 8, 2020 are:
–Hair Salon, Nail Salon, Barbershop, and/or other establishments for a licensed cosmetologist/barber
–Tanning Salons
–Swimming Pools
The businesses all must work within the rules of social distancing, work stations need be at least six feet apart for example.
Locations need to sanitize frequently, and were necessary gear to protect customers from COVID-19.
Opening Soon
Monday, May 18, 2020, will see the opening of even more businesses:
–Gyms may open, but no use of lockers or shower are allowed
–Manufacturing Services
–Offices that have up to five individuals and/or 25% of the total workforce
A person is not obligated to reopen if they feel it is not time, nor is a person obligated to go to work if they genuinely feel it is too dangerous.
Counties that have filed with DSHS and have a low case count of active COVID-19, including Freestone County, are able to have an 50% occupancy rate.
Closed
A good number of businesses are still not able to open, and have no open date planned as of press time.
The Governor requested people to avoid visiting these establishments:
–Bars
–Massage Establishments
–Tattoo studios and/or Piercing Studios
–Sexually Orientated businesses
–Interactive Venues, including bowling alleys, video arcades, and splash pads
–Water Parks
–Amusement Parks
–Any opened service that includes an unopened service – cannot provide the closed service.
Many things are considered essential, like grocery stores or gas stations, and have been open the entire time.
Other activities that are highly suggested during this time is bicycling, jogging, or other physical activity outside.
Hunting and/or fishing or heading to the swimming pool or park are other activities that are allowable during this time period.
Even swimming, be it in a pool, river, lake or the Gulf can be a great activity during this outbreak.
Just remember while you are out having fun, do not forget your safety protocols.
No large groups over ten people and stay at least six feet away from others.
State Parks
State Parks are opening a little more with the allowance of some of their previous reservations for overnight stays to be honored, but no new reservations may currently be made.
Graduations
Graduations are back on, in the safest ways possible.
–Virtual Ceremonies – Takes place completely online with the use of a program like Zoom or other teleconference technology.
–Hybrid Ceremonies – Students are recognized in person, but in small groups.
–Vehicle Ceremonies – Students and families wait in their cars, while graduates are honored one at a time with their family.
–Outdoor in-person Ceremony – Between Friday, May 15, 2020 and Sunday, May 31, 2020 graduation may take place outside in any of the counties that has filed an attestation, including Freestone County.
–After Monday, June 1, 2020, an outdoor graduation may take place in any county in Texas.
Texas is slowly opening businesses back up to help the economy, and Governor Abbott plans to open more as long as COVID-19 flair ups stay down.
Remember, wash your hands often, disinfect frequently touched objects (like a door knob), wear a mask to protect others, and follow all the guidelines from the CDC.
