In response to rising COVID-19 numbers in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a halt to Texas’ reopening procedures on Thursday in a press release.
“As we experience an increase in both positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families,” says Gov. Abbott. “The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses. This temporary pause will help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business.”
Alongside this announcement, the governor issued an executive order that puts a pause on elective surgeries at hospitals in the counties of Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis. With this order, “all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately, medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition” are postponed, according to a press release.
The governor also closed bars, rafting and tubing businesses and outdoor gatherings of over 100 people on Friday morning, according to the executive order. He also scaled back restaurant capacity to 50%.
“As Texas faces a rise in COVID-19 cases, we are focused on both slowing the spread of this virus and maintaining sufficient hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients,” says Gov. Abbott. “These four counties have experienced significant increases in people being hospitalized due to COVID-19, and today’s action is a precautionary step to help ensure that the hospitals in these counties continue to have ample supply of available beds to treat COVID-19 patients.”
In recent weeks, Texas has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, with 5,551 new cases reported on June 24, according to the Texas Tribune.