GOV. ABBOTT REVEALS PLANS TO REOPEN BUSINESSES, CLOSES SCHOOLS FOR REST OF SCHOOL YEAR
Governor Greg Abbott has announced plans to reopen the state’s economy in stages, and ordered the closure of all Texas schools for the remainder of the school year.
Abbott at a press conference this (Friday) afternoon revealed plans to loosen restrictions on businesses, medical facilities, and state parks, and named a “statewide strike force” of state and business leaders to develop the state’s reopening process.
Abbott said, starting next Friday, April 24th, retail businesses will be able to sell items to-go via drive-thru or delivery. Elective medical procedures can continue starting Wednesday, and state parks will reopen Monday, albeit with restrictions requiring visitors to wear masks, stay at least six feet apart, and not be in groups of more than five.
Abbott plans to announce more ways to reopen the state on April 27th and in May, following further input from medical staff. Abbott stressed the steps being taken are gradual, and not everything will be reopened at once.
In the school closure announcement, Abbott said he consulted with medical experts who told him it would be unsafe for students to return to the classroom. He said he is currently working with a group of educators to safely resume classes for colleges and universities this summer.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will send out guidelines for high school graduations, while the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will issue guidance for public colleges and universities. The TEA said in a statement the decision to keep schools closed was “the only one that makes sense for Texas at this time”.
Guidance from the Texas DSHS for businesses reopening is available here.