Austin Restaurants, Movie Theaters and Retail Stores are Cleared To Re-Open on May 1st

The executive order requiring Texans to remain Shelter-In-Place, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, is set to expire on April 30th.  By order of Governor Greg Abbott, the state of Texas is planning to reopen restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters, and malls as of May 1st.

In a press conference on April 27th, Gov. Abbott released a statement saying these businesses can reopen at a limit of 25 percent occupancy.

 

“Now it’s time to set a new course, a course that responsibly opens up business in Texas,” Abbott said. “We will open in a way that uses safe standards — safe standards for businesses, for their employees as well as for their customers. Standards based upon data and on doctors.”

 

Abbott also said that if counties do not see a resurgence of cases, businesses will be allowed to increase customer capacity to 50 percent starting May 18. Counties with 5 or fewer cases will be allowed to start operating their businesses with a higher capacity starting this Friday.

 

Local hair salons, barbershops, gyms and other businesses involving a higher percentage of physical contact will be required to remain close for now, unlike other deep Southern states like Georgia.

 

Governor Abbott also mentioned the state is still recommending that everyone should wear a mask while out in public, but no rules are being enforced and Texans will not be required to wear one.