The following information, based on instructions from all of Gov. Abbott's current executive orders, is valid as of noon, June 26.
On Friday June 26, Gov. Abbott announced his latest executive order in response to the surge in statewide cases of COVID-19. Effective at noon today, bars are closed but may offer delivery and take-out orders, including alcohol. Restaurants are scaled back to 50% of indoor capacity, effective June 29. Local governments are authorized to regulate outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Fourth of July celebrations remain permissable with the county judge and local health authority determining their jurisdiction’s circumstances. Rafting and tubing businesses are closed effective immediately.
Earlier, on June 3, Texas businesses had reopened under Abbott's third phase, with those operating at 25% capacity increased to 50% capacity, including restaurants and bars. On June 12, restaurants had increased capacity to 75%. According to current orders, the following businesses and activities remain unchanged with no occupancy limit:
- Religious services conducted in churches, congregations and houses of worship.
- Local government operations, including marriage and other licenses, permitting, recording and document filing services.
- Child care services.
- Youth camps, including all summer camps and youth daytime and overnight camps.
- Recreational sports programs for youths and adults.
Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and other licensed establishments are not subject to the 50% limit as long as they operate with at least 6 feet of social distance between workstations.
Amusement parks and carnivals are among the few businesses allowed to operate at 50% capacity, but only if they are in counties with fewer than 1,000 cases. If they are in counties with more than 1,000 cases, they weren’t permitted to reach 50% capacity until June 19. Other businesses that are in counties with 10 or fewer active cases of COVID-19 and that were previously at 50% capacity were able to increase to 75% on June 12.
Additionally, Abbott extended the COVID-19 disaster declaration for all 254 counties and the disaster declaration for the counties affected by Hurricane Harvey. Both declarations took effect June 11.
The complete and latest checklist of open services and activities and the effective dates can be found on the Governor's Open Texas webpage. For more information on the content of this article, email Aurora Flores.