Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that 'Phase 1' of reopening the state of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic is set to begin this Friday, May 1. That phase is set to go through as long as COVID-19 cases in the state don't increase.

According to the livestream Monday afternoon, Gov. Abbott's “Phase One” will allow all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls to reopen at 25% capacity. Museums and libraries also can reopen with 25% capacities. This doesn't apply to hands-on museums.

Health care professionals can reopen as well under Phase 1, but licensed hospitals must reserve 15% capacity for COVID-19 patients.

Gov. Abbott says that hair salons and gyms will remain closed because doctors feel they are not safe to open yet. Vulnerable populations are also asked to continue to stay home during this initial phase.

Phase 2, which is proposed to begin around May 18, will open more businesses and allow those businesses who opened in phase one to expand operations and allow the capacity limit to expand to 50 percent.

Empty Shopping Centers of Tyler

 

 

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