As COVID-19 Cases Surge, Gov. Abbott Pauses Texas Reopening

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surging, Gov. Greg Abbott has announced he is pausing any further reopening of the Texas economy. Businesses that are permitted to open under the previous phases can continue to operate at the designated occupancy levels and under the minimum standard health protocols provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“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,” said 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. 

Abbott has also issued an order suspending all non-elective surgeries at hospitals in Bexar, Harris, Dallas and Travis counties.

Texas has topped more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases for the last two days, and hospitalizations have set new daily records for 13 days. 

“I ask all Texans to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing their hands regularly, and socially distancing from others,” the governor said. “The more that we all follow these guidelines, the safer our state will be and the more we can open up Texas for business.”