Hair salons and pools authorized to reopen. The COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. state of Texas by March 2020. Abbott Says", "Gov. [1] That same day, a resident in his 30s of Frisco in Collin County, a suburb of Dallas, received a presumptive positive test for the virus after recently traveling to Silicon Valley in California; he is the first case identified in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. [37] Abbott also asks the Small Business Administration to declare an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration for the state;[38] eligibility is granted three days later. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Rep. Kevin Brady said he has tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A wave of protests swept across Texas cities this weekend to oppose police brutality and systemic racism, a response in part to the death of George Floyd. Actual case numbers are probably higher. Reported cases include confirmed and presumptive cases. Protests, Texas COVID Testing Sites, Trump Tweet Four officers are fired after a Black man dies in Minneapolis police custody. Protesters rally at the Texas State Capitol to speak out against Texas' handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, in Austin, Texas, Saturday, April 18, 2020. Location of original infection may vary. [84][85], As of July 11, 2020[update], 2.7 million COVID-19 tests have been reported by the DSHS; of these, 2.49 million were viral tests while 217,000 were antibody tests. [36] The state mandated 14-day quarantines for travelers arriving from pandemic hotspots in the U.S. beginning on March 26 until all travel restrictions were lifted on May 21. Collin County's order stated that all businesses are essential and would be allowed to remain open as long as they followed physical distancing guidelines. "[80], The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases confirmed by the DSHS reached 10,000 on April 9 and 100,000 on June 19. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a former Central Texas state representative, has tested positive for COVID-19. [189] Some local law enforcement agencies chose not to enforce the mandate. The phase also allowed bars and office building tenants to begin operating with limited occupancy in addition to raising the restaurant occupancy cap to 50 percent. The phase also provided a timetable for amusement parks, carnivals, and restaurants to begin increasing their capacity further out to June 18. "I am concerned about the officers when I see 100 people shoulder to shoulder in a deal where we have COVID, which we have no immunity for and it's spreading through our community," said Jenkins. Other types of businesses were given staggered opening dates out to May 31 under Phase II. [272][273] Citing looser restrictions in comparison to its traditional home of Las Vegas, the National Finals Rodeo also relocated to Globe Life Field. Outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people banned unless government approval received. Greg Abbott to let restaurants, movie theaters and malls open with limited capacity Friday", "Gov. Across Texas… Probable cases are included from December 11, 2020. [263] The XFL (Dallas Renegades and Houston Roughnecks) suspended play, and later filed for bankruptcy part-way into the rebooted league's inaugural season. [97], A state of disaster was declared by Abbott for all counties in Texas on March 13, giving emergency powers to Abbott and his administration to order lockdowns. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a former Central Texas state representative, has tested positive for COVID-19. [119] Texas became the 21st state to activate its National Guard on March 17. [183][62] On June 26, bars were ordered to shut down and restaurants were ordered to lower their maximum operating capacity to 50 percent in what The Texas Tribune called Abbott's "most drastic action yet to respond to the post-reopening coronavirus surge in Texas". The previous high came just one day earlier, on Thursday. Protests erupt over coronavirus restrictions. Greg Abbott goes with a patchwork system", "Texas ranks in bottom 10 least aggressive states for limiting COVID-19 exposure, website says", "Governor Abbott Receives Briefing From State Health Officials On Coronavirus", "Governor Abbott Joins Secretary Alex Azar, Federal Cabinet And Health Officials, State Governors For Update On Coronavirus", "Texas officials on the coronavirus: Keep calm and wash your hands", "Texas Gov. A briefing was held by Abbott on January 27 concerning the COVID-19 outbreak; HHS Commissioner Courtney Philips, DSHS Health Services Commissioner John William Hellerstedt, and TDEM Chief Nim Kidd delivered the briefing. [265], On May 28, Governor Abbott announced that professional sporting events at outdoor venues would be allowed to admit a limited number of spectators, capped at 25% of normal capacity, and subject to approval by health authorities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster on March 13, and the Texas Department of State Health Services declared a public health disaster six days later, for the first time since 1901. Many restaurants began offering pre-prepared ingredients to recreate their experiences at home, and a resurgence of drive-in theaters was seen particularly in the Greater Austin and Greater San Antonio areas. Abbott's plan to gradually reopen Texas businesses", "Republicans pressure Gov. Oct Greg Abbott issued an executive order June 3 for the state to move into phase three of reopening, allowing many business and activities to resume. [49][50], On May 5, Abbott modifies his earlier reopening timetable, allowing barbershops, hairdressers, and nail salons to begin reopening on May 8 while maintaining social distancing. The order exempted places of worship as essential services (subject to social distancing), but Abbott still recommended that remote services be conducted instead. Dan Patrick forms task force to restart economy after coronavirus", "Coronavirus In Texas: Governor Abbott – 'Aggressive Strategies To Make Sure Texas Is First At Getting Back To Work, "Several states are beginning to lift COVID-19 restrictions despite concerns", "Governor Abbott Announces Phase One To Open Texas, Establishes Statewide Minimum Standard Health Protocols", "Texas to lift coronavirus restrictions this week, businesses to reopen in phases", "Texas to loosen restrictions on malls, movie theaters in staggered reopening", "Gov. Dec [36] Abbott grants waivers to hospitals to bolster unused bed capacity without applying or paying added fees. Some businesses able to operate at 100%. [123][124], Texas Historical Commission historical sites and state parks were closed beginning at 5 p.m. April 7,[125][126] remaining closed until an executive order reopened them on April 20. Private First Class Armon Ramirez from the Texas National Guard is given hand sanitizer after testing people for COVID-19 in the parking lot of Memorial Swimming Pool on May 18, 2020 in El Paso, Texas. According to the dashboard, 89 cases are considered active. [134][135], Between May and June 2020, the Texas state government began loosening restrictions on businesses and activities in a series of phases amid the pandemic, allowing businesses to reopen and operate with increasing capacity. [242], Austin City Limits Music Festival, originally scheduled for October 2020, was cancelled on July 1; its organizers describing the cancellation as "the only responsible solution. [98] These included waived trucking and licensing regulations for drivers, alcohol delivery from bars and restaurants, and Medicaid regulations. [233][234] In response to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, Abbott issued an executive order shutting down bars for a second time since the beginning of the pandemic. As a result, the number of new cases began to rise in early May. AUSTIN - AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The coronavirus pandemic has created a nearly $1 billion deficit in the Texas state budget as the nation's energy hub remains hampered by a slow recovery and a half-million fewer jobs than a year ago.