State of Texas Governor Greg Abbottgave a COVID-19 update late Friday morning, April 17, 2020 in regards to reopening Texas for commerce while maintaining safe and risk free environments.

  Governor Abbott expressed that, “Texas is gradually and safely beginning the process of returning to work and returning to other activities.”

  A Strike Force to Open Texas was formed with intent of helping businesses strategically re-open and contain the spread of COVID-19.

Strike Force

(Executive Order 1 (GA – 17))

  A Strike Force, or rather a group of people tasked with helping Governor Abbott make the best decisions going forward for Texas in regards to work, school, entertainment, and culture.

–They will study and make recommendations, while consulting with Texas health officials, how to safely revitalize the Texas economy during the COVID-19 outbreak.

–Secondly, they will decide, working with Texas health officials, how to safely ease the restrictions in place for the COVID-19 outbreak.

–The Strike Force will work with state leaders, state regulatory agencies, local governments and entities,

and private-sector professionals to decide and recommend best practices and strategies to revitalize the Texas economy.

Retail-To-Go

(Executive Order 2 (GA – 16))

  Through April 30, 2020 and further if the COVID-19 Pandemic requires it, citizens are to stay at home, minimize social gatherings, and in-person contact.

  Retail stores are able to begin reopening with a “Retail-To-Go” style of business beginning on Friday, April 24, 2020.

  The required Texas Department of Human Services (DSHS) guidelines are as follows:

–All employees must be trained on environmental cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.

–All employees must be screened before coming into the business for new or worsening cough; shortness of breath; sore throat; loss of taste or smell; feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit; or known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. Any employee who meets any of these criteria should be sent home.

–Employees must wash or sanitize hands upon entering the business.

–All employees must wear face coverings and maintain at least 6 feet separation from one another.

–Customer’s may not enter businesses, but instead may pickup, have delivered or mail-order items.

–Payments should be handled over the phone if possible.

–Employees should deliver items to the trunk or back of a customer’s vehicle when possible to minimize contact.

–Employees must wash and/or sanitize hands between customers.

Health Care

(Executive Order 3 (GA – 15))

  The restrictions on Non-Essential Surgery have been lightened, but are not entirely lifted.

  Surgeries that is medically necessary to diagnose or correct a life threatening medical condition  for a patient who without surgery would be at risk for a serious adverse medical consequence or death.

  Assuming that:

–Surgery would not deplete the PPE and hospital capacity necessary to combat COVID-19.

–Certification has been made in writing that a hospital or health care facility will reserve at least 25% capacity for COVID-19 patients and treatment, and that they do not request PPE from any public source.

State Parks

  The parks may reopen with stricter guidelines.

  Guests are required to wear a mask at all times, maintain a six foot distance from others not in their household, and no groups larger than five people.

In-Classroom Education

  Finally, but certainly not the least, Governor Abbott made the decision to cancel in-classroom education for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

  This includes public, private and higher education schools through the entire State of Texas.

  Teachers may enter their classrooms to do video instruction, perform administrative duties, and/or clean out their classrooms.