Across the state of Texas, multiple businesses-including hair salons, barbershops, and other non-essential establishments-are openings for the first time since the lockdown measures started mid-March.

In Austin and Travis County, however, local officials are planning to extend their shelter-in-place policies.


The Austin Extension

Austin city officials announced an extension to the city's lockdown orders on Friday. They said their approach would help emphasize the importance of social distancing and wearing masks. They also plan to increase testing and contact tracing.

Travis County has also decided to extend its self-quarantine policies to encourage residents not to engage in a non-essential activity, which may spur a second wave of the deadly virus.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarak Eckhardt urged residents only to leave their homes when it is essential. They said refusing to wear face coverings would result in a spike in cases that could potentially overwhelm the local health system.

"The virus is just as infectious today as it was a month ago," Adler said.

Austin and Travis County are working on an emergency plan for a second surge of coronavirus cases and a possible second lockdown of local commerce.


COVID-19 Plans

Eckhardt and Adler are putting triggers in place for hospitalizations. The triggers would alert officials of a probable surge and help them implement a second lockdown.

According to research from the University of Texas at Austin, reducing social interactions and protecting vulnerable residents could prevent the virus from cocooning. The models showed a 95 percent chance for a deadlier surge between mid-June and mid-September.

The stay-at-home order for both Austin and Travis County was set to expire on May 8. Local leaders extended it through the middle of June.


Mixed Messages

Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently eased up on the state's COVID-19 stay-at-home requirements. Businesses began to resume operations, and people began to spill to the streets.

Despite federal health agency's advice on wearing face masks and coverings, Abbott emphasized his refusal to enforce mandatory masks. He also said his orders supersede the decision of county judges and mayors.

He also removed jail as a punishment for people violating the state's coronavirus restrictions after a Dallas salon owner was jailed for refusing to keep her business closed despite receiving a cease-and-desist letter.

Businesses for hair and nail salons reopened on Friday. Gyms and manufacturing plants are set to resume operations on May 18. All non-essential businesses are required to operate on a limited capacity.

As of Saturday, a day after the governor launched allowed the reopening of economy, Texas' COVID-19 fatalities passed the 1,040 marks.

State health officials also reported over 37,860 confirmed cases of the virus on Saturday afternoon.

Texas has had nearly 38,000 coronavirus cases and has almost 490,000 tests. Since the outbreak began, more than 20,000 Texas patients have fully recovered from the disease. According to health records, there are currently more than 1,700 patients in state hospitals.


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