Texas Gov. Greg Abbott detailed on Monday their plans to reopen the state in phases amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Places such as retail stores, movie theaters, and restaurants will be allowed to open to customers at reduced capacity starting on Friday, May 1.

According to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, wearing masks will be encouraged, but they won't require it. This initiative by Abbott and the state--the country's largest economy next to California--to reopen the state economy that was fundamentally taken to a full stop as the United States struggles with the COVID-19 outbreak.

During a news conference held in Austin on Monday, Gov. Abbott said that they are not just hoping for the best as they reopen. He added that the state is going to open in a manner that will also contain the infection and keep everyone in Texas safe.


A Strategic Reopening Approach

Gov. Abbott also said that a tactical strategy is needed so that they don't "open only to close down again." Along with movie theaters, restaurants, and retail stores, libraries and museums could open on May 1 too, at 25 percent capacity.

Additionally, sole proprietors of companies, according to the government official, can open, as well, and dentists and doctors can resume normal operations, too. Hospitals will need to maintain 50 percent of their capacity for COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, places of worship and churches that were permitted to stay open during the stay-at-home order of Texas will be allowed an expansion of their capacity as well, as long as social distancing guidelines remain enacted. Hair salons, barbershops, and bars, on the other hand, will still remain closed.


Well-Supported Plan

The plan, which, according to Gov. Abbott, has the support of both the federal health officials and the state, is part of the tactic to reopen businesses progressively.

He emphasized that by May 18, if no new spikes of contamination are detected in Texas, then he will be moving forward to the second phase, during which most of the businesses will operate at 50 percent capacity.

He explained that the state will open businesses in a manner that engages safe standards. In addition to that, he also noted that places such as Singapore and China have both seen the second wave of contagion after they reopened.

This is the reason why everything cannot reopen all at the same time, as Abbott explained. As of this writing, Texas has recorded more than 25,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases with over 600 fatalities. But it is among the states that have presented plans to open their economies soon.

The Announcement of Abbott comes as the present U.S. administration draws up new guidelines for how schools, churches, businesses, and restaurants can safely open across the nation. Relatively a draft of the plan of the White House includes recommendations like the use of disposable menus in restaurants, closing break rooms at offices, and having students eat lunch in their respective classrooms.


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