Restaurants may now host groups of 10, rather than a maximum of six, per Gov. Greg Abbott’s Phase III of his plan to reopen Texas.
Phase III of reopening Texas was announced Tuesday, June 3, by Gov. Greg Abbott. Effective immediately, almost all businesses can operate at 50 percent capacity. Restaurants will be able to operate at 75 percent capacity starting June 12.
"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," Abbott said in a statement, attributing a rise in positive COVID-19 cases to 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.”
Over 45 percent of new cases from May 26-June 2 were reported from the three institutions he named. As of June 3, 1,487 people in Texas are hospitalized due to COVID-19. The state also is reporting 20,679 active cases and 45,858 recoveries.
Phase III openings effective immediately include:
• Businesses currently operating at 25 percent capacity can expand occupancy to 50 percent, with exceptions.
• Bars and similar establishments may increase to 50 percent capacity as long as patrons are seated (no dancing).
• Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with fewer than 1,000 confirmed positive cases may open at 50 percent capacity.
• Restaurants may expand their maximum table size from six people to 10.
Effective June 12:
• Restaurants may expand their occupancy level to 75 percent.
• Counties with 10 or fewer active COVID-19 cases may expand their occupancy limits to 75 percent. Counties that fit this category will need to file an attestation with the Department of State Health Services, unless they have already done so.
Effective June 19:
Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with more than 1,000 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 may open at 50 percent capacity.
Additional openings:
Specifications for Fourth of July celebrations were included in the new executive order, placing the responsibility on local and public health officials to collaborate on safe standards.
The governor also stressed that businesses should continue to follow DSHS minimum standard health protocols, which can be found online. Those choosing to go out should wear appropriate face coverings, although this is not mandatory; keep groups to 10 or fewer people; and avoid nursing homes, state-supported living centers, assisted-living facilities, and long-term care facilities. People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.
“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,” Gov. Abbott said. “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."
For details of these latest opening, view the governor’s executive order here.
