Governor Abbott has approved the state to move into Phase III of his reopening plan.
Effective immediately, all businesses in Texas will be able to operate at up to 50% capacity, with some limited exceptions. Businesses that previously have been able to operate at 100% capacity may continue to do so. Most outdoor areas are not subject to capacity limits.
All businesses and customers should continue to follow minimum standard health protocols laid out by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
"The people of Texas continue to prove that we can safely and responsibly open our state for business while containing COVID-19 and keeping our state safe,” said Governor Abbott. "As anticipated, the new positive cases that we are seeing are largely the result of isolated hot spots in nursing homes, jails, and meat packing plants. Thanks to the effectiveness of our Surge Response Teams, we have the ability to contain those hot spots while opening up Texas for business. As we begin Phase III, I ask all Texans and Texas businesses to continue following the standard health protocols and to heed the guidance of our state and federal officials who continue to closely monitor COVID-19. If we remain vigilant, we will continue to mitigate the spread of this virus, protect public health, and get more Texans back to work and their daily activities."
Beginning June 3, all businesses currently operating at 25% capacity can expand their occupancy to 50% with certain exceptions.
Bars and similar establishments may increase their capacity to 50% as long as patrons are seated. Restaurants may expand their maximum table size from 6 to 10 persons.
Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with less than 1,000 confirmed positive cases may open at 50% capacity.
Beginning June 12, restaurants may expand their occupancy levels to 75%. Also beginning June 12, counties with 10 or less active COVID-19 cases may expand their occupancy limits to 75%. Counties that fit this category but have not previously filed an attestation with DSHS will need to do so.
Beginning June 19, amusement parks and carnivals in counties with more than 1,000 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 may open at 50% capacity.
The governor also released special provisions made for outdoor gatherings, such as Fourth of July celebrations. Those can be found here.
The governor says all businesses should continue to follow the minimum standard health protocols from DSHS.
When going out, individuals are encouraged to wear appropriate face coverings. People should not be in groups greater than 10 when possible. People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home as much as possible. People are still asked to avoid nursing homes, state-supported living centers, assisted living facilities or long-term care facilities.
According to the governor, between May 26th and June 2nd, over 45% of new cases came from jails or prisons, meat packing plants and nursing homes.
As of June 3, there are 1,487 Texans hospitalized due to COVID-19. There are 20,679 active cases in the state and 45,858 Texans are estimated to have recovered.
