Emilee Prado
After he reopened restaurants, retailers, salons and gyms at limited capacity earlier this month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced even more businesses that could reopen in Texas effective immediately.
Businesses that could start reopening at limited capacity on Monday, May 18 include child care centers, beauty and personal care services, massage parlors and youth clubs. Bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, skating rinks, zoos and aquariums can also reopen starting on Friday, May 22.
Youth camps and sports can reopen on Sunday, May 31, as well as professional sports that do not require an in-person spectator such as basketball, baseball, football, golf, softball and tennis. Restaurants can expand capacity from 25% to 50% effective immediately, and school districts such as Carroll ISD could also begin summer school starting on June 1.
The announcement comes after Texas has been ramping up its testing in the past few weeks. Gov. Abbott says the state has more than doubled the number of tests it has given out in the first half of May more than March and April combined. The positivity rate has also steadily declined, with 13.86% testing positive on April 13 to 4.97% testing positive on May 17, according to Abbott's presentation.
Yet Abbott cautions that health and safety need to continue to be the top priority. If conditions worsen and hospitals face greater pressure in the future, Abbott says that the state will reevaluate then and take action.
“Texans have always faced adversity, and Texans have always prevailed,” Abbott says. “We are getting through this, but now more than ever, we need to work together as one Texas.”
A full list of businesses eligible for reopening as well as safe business practices can be found on Abbott’s website at Gov.Texas.Gov/OpenTexas.