While Texas has is likely reopening the state in a staggered way from Friday, May 01, there are a number of important guidelines that have been issued to ensure the maximum well being of the people around.
Governor Greg Abbott’s plan for reopening will allow some of the businesses to again become functional. Some of the sectors that are likely opening with guidelines include retail stores, restaurants, movie theatres and malls.
On the second wave of reopening, it is likely going to allow the barber shops, bars and gyms to become operational again. The same is likely going to happen on May 18, if there are no more confirmed cases in the state.
Some of the guidelines for the first phase of opening include:
Retailers and Malls
Even though the retailers and malls are going to be open, the maximum capacity should be nothing more than 25%. In case of the rural counties, the retailers can serve up to 50% of the capacity.
The areas around food court, play areas and possible crowding spaces will be closed. The retailers can also offer in-store pick up or deliveries.
Restaurants
Fine dining restaurants can open with a capacity of 25% and 50% for the rural counties. Bars are going to remain closed even if they offer food.
Each table should not have more than 6 people and everyone should be seated 6 feet apart, in case of parties. Restaurants are going to introduce more of the no-contact dining with disposable menu, single use portions. No self serving buffets will be opened and every restaurant will have a sanitizing station.
Outdoor sports
The sports that include no contact with other people can be played outside. Instead of that, only four people can play at a time. The public swimming pool is also going to remain closed.
Golf courses will be opened under special instructions.
Churches and Places of worship
With the stay at home orders, a few of the churches have remained open, provided that they should be following social distancing guidelines. The same goes for the coming days too.
The Governor’s task force still asks the people to watch the services remotely. People attending religious service should be seated two seats away from each other. There should also be an empty row between every worshipper.
Museum and libraries
Lastly, the museums and libraries have got the permission to open again. But, the limitation is 25% of the capacity and nothing more than that. The same can be increased to 50% capacity in the rural areas with less than 5 confirmed cases.
