Governor Greg Abbott announced Phase Two business reopenings today as Texas begins to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown.
Beginning this Friday, May 22, restaurants may begin operating at 50 percent capacity. In addition, bars, craft breweries and other drinking establishments can begin operating at 25 percent capacity. The governor said capacity restrictions are not applicable to outside seating areas as long as customers and staff practice social distancing measures.
Bowling alleys and bingo halls may also begin operating at 25 percent capacity beginning this Friday.
Starting on May 31, youth sports activities, such as Little League, may begin, and parents will be allowed to spectate as long as they abide by social distancing rules. Summer camps, including overnight camps and day camps, can begin operating on May 31 as well.
All child care centers can resume operating today, May 18. Previously, child care centers were only offering services to children of parents that were considered “essential” workers.
The governor said professional sports including pro golf, auto racing, baseball, softball, basketball and football may also resume on May 31 in Texas, although special safety standards will apply. Notably, no fans will be allowed to watch games in person. Those announcements by the governor are contingent on each pro sport entity agreeing to those changes.
Additionally, businesses that had been deemed “non-essential” may begin reopening this Friday as well with certain restrictions. See a complete list of the reopenings and guidelines on the Governor’s Open Texas website: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas.
“As we open up, we must continue to place health and safety first and foremost,” Abbott said. “There may be a time when a county or region faces challenges to opening up at same pace as the rest of state.”
Likewise, Abbott said counties in the Amarillo area and El Paso County will begin Phase 2 a week later than the rest of the state due to the high number of coronavirus cases in those areas.
Abbott encouraged Texas to remain vigilant and to keep practicing social distancing measures as the state emerges from the crisis.
“Be a good neighbor, be a Texan,” Abbott said.
