Texas Governor Gregg Abbott issued multiple orders in regards to the COVID-19 increase in cases, including hospitalizations, throughout June 2020.
Beginning on Thursday, June 25, 2020 Abbott released orders for Harris, Dallas, Bexar and Travis Counties suspending elective surgeries to help keep more hospital beds open and available for dangerously ill COVID-19 patients.
Additionally, any not yet opened phases have been halted, although nothing had been rolled back at that time.
“As Texas faces a rise in COVID-19 cases, we are focused on both slowing the spread of this virus and maintaining sufficient hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients,” said Governor Abbott.
Later Abbott stated, “As we work to contain this virus, I urge all Texans to do their part to help contain the spread by washing their hands regularly, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing.”
Texas Medical Association (TMA) is showing full support for the Governor’s most recent actions.
TMA President Diana L. Fite, MD commented that, ““Today’s order is an appropriate use of the governor’s authority to ensure Texas hospitals have the beds, staff, and resources that physicians need to care for our most seriously ill patients – whether with COVID-19, other diseases, or significant trauma.”
Governor Abbott came back on Friday, June 26, 2020 with additional orders to close all businesses that make their profit from 51% or more from the sale of alcohol by 12:00 p.m. that day.
He required restaurants to cut back to a 50% capacity, but they are allowed to remain to keep dine-in areas open beginning on Monday, June 29, 2020.
All rafting and tubing businesses are closed.
Any outdoor gathering of 100 or more people has to be approved by the local government, with certain exceptions. Although the exceptions are not made clear.
“As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10%, the State of Texas would take further action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott.
As the numbers of cases are closely watched, there is hope that the numbers will begin to decline, and avoid the necessity to quickly shut down anymore places of business.
