Governor Abbott Announces Executive Order to Contain COVID-19 Spread

On June 26, Governor Abbott announced an executive order to limit certain business and services in response to numbers rising above 10% for positive cases of COVID-19 in Texas. Hospitals have also seen an increase in patients since Memorial Day weekend.

The order states the following:

• Bars and similar establishments who receive more than 51% of sales from alcoholic beverages are mandated to close at 12PM on June 26, 2020. However, these businesses can remain open for takeout or delivery, including purchases of alcoholic beverages.
• Beginning Monday, June 29, 2020, restaurants may continue dine-in services at a capacity of no more than 50%.
• Businesses who conduct rafting and tubing services are mandated to close.
• Outdoor gatherings of more than 100 persons must be approved by local officials with certain exceptions.

“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.

The Governor further states cases are rising due to certain activities Texans are taking part in, including congregating in bars and other areas. It is the citizens of Texas responsibility to do their part in slowing the spread of the virus. As of now, there will be a temporary pause on additional reopening phases. Abbott hopes the executive order will not permit for long, but further preventative action can be taken if numbers do not decrease in the coming weeks.