Texas State and Local Action on COVID-19

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For a complete look at federal and state action related to the coronavirus, visit MWC’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Facts and Resources website.

COVID-19 has created a fluid and rapidly evolving situation across the state of Texas. Below are the latest developments.

Case Statistics as of Nov. 18, 2020

1,048,383 total cases (141,891 estimated active cases)
8,489 new cases on Nov. 18
19,883 fatalities (187 new)
7,958 hospitalized
9,522,343 molecular tests (11/17/2020)
11.49% Specimen Collection Positivity Rate (11/17/2020)
DSHS COVID Dashboard

Governor Abbott Holds Covid-19 Press Conference

On Nov. 18, Governor Abbott held a press conference in Lubbock to address the increase of COVID-19 cases in the region and to announce the arrival of a new drug to treat the early stages of the disease.

Texas will begin receiving doses of the new drug, Bamlanivimab by Eli Lilly.
- Bamlanivimab neutralizing antibody treatment for COVID-19
- It is most effective in the treatment in the early stages of infection
- Each region of the state will be receiving the drug, with priority given to high hospitalization rate regions. The goal is for the drug to reduce the need for hospitalization.
- Governor Abbott did not address how much of the drug the state will be receiving
- The drug will only be given to those who meet certain qualifications at this point: over 65, prior medical issues, medical personnel, etc. Exact metrics will be released soon, and they are working on creating some sort of database that the public can utilize to see if they qualify.
Governor Abbott also noted that the state should begin receiving allocations of the new vaccines in December.
- DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan
Governor Abbott did not announce any new regulations or restrictions at this time
- When asked if there would be another shutdown in the future, Governor Abbott stated, “There’s an overestimation of what a shutdown can achieve, there are plenty of tools in the toolbox (for local authorities).”
- “We’ve been here before, we can do it again. All we need is for people to return to those safe practices that we learned during summer spike.”
- The governor stressed the need for Texans to follow safe practices and personal responsibility. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home when possible, and avoid gatherings.

Executive Order GA-32 (Effective October 14, 2020)

On October 8, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-32 to reopen certain venues to 75% capacity and allow resumption of elective surgeries in certain counties. Counties that reside in Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) with high COVID‑19 hospitalizations are excluded from these reopenings.

Per the GA-32, areas with high hospitalizations means any Trauma Service Area that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID‑19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15 percent, until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID‑19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is 15 percent or less.

A county within a TSA that has high hospitalizations may still reopen up to 75% if the county meets attestation parameters established under GA-32.

GA-32 took effect on October 14, 2020.

Counties

The following counties are part of Trauma Service Areas where, for the last seven days, 15% or more of total hospital capacity has been COVID‑19 patients.

Trauma Service Area A

Armstrong*
Briscoe
Carson*
Childress*
Collingsworth*
Dallam
Deaf Smith
Donley
Gray
Hall
Hansford
Hartley
Hemphill*
Hutchinson
Lipscomb*
Moore
Ochiltree
Oldham*
Parmer
Potter
Randall
Roberts
Sherman
Swisher
Wheeler

Trauma Service Area B

Bailey
Borden*
Castro
Cochran*
Cottle*
Crosby*
Dawson
Dickens*
Floyd*
Gaines
Garza
Hale
Hockley
Kent*
King*
Lamb
Lubbock
Lynn
Motley*
Scurry
Terry
Yoakum

Trauma Service Area I

Culberson
El Paso
Hudspeth

*county has qualified for and submitted an attestation to operate at 75%.

Quick Links

Texas Department of State Health Services Map: COVID-19 Texas Case Counts
Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Map: COVID-19 Global Case Counts
State Agency Resource Links, and PPE Donations: Texas.gov
Office of the Governor: gov.texas.gov
- Governor’s Report to Reopen Texas
Texas Department of Emergency Management Daily Updates: TDEM Situation Reports; TDEM District Reports

Open Texas Phases

October 14, 2020

Bars

May open at 50% capacity
Counties with high hospitalization rates are not eligible to open
County judges have the authority to allow for the opening, or keep them closed
Dance floors must remain closed
No loitering. Patrons must return to their table once they purchase a beverage at the bar top.
Masks must be worn at all times, unless seated at the table.

October 12, 2020

Amusement Parks, Movie Theaters, Zoos, Aquariums and Bowling Alleys

May increase capacity to 75%

September 17, 2020

Restaurants, Retail, Etc. Capacity Expanded to 75%

Executive Order – GA 30 allows restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities and classes, museums, and libraries to operate at 75% capacity.
Bars must remain closed
- Governor Abbott stated that it is still too risky to reopen bars at this time.
- TABC has adjusted some of their rules to make it easier for bars to qualify as a restaurant, and therefore be able to be open. More information on those rules can be found here.

The following counties are excluded from the reopening’s in this order due to high hospitalization rates (see Hospital Capacity Metric below):
- Trauma Service Area S – Calhoun; DeWitt; Goliad; Jackson; Lavaca; Victoria
- Trauma Service Area T – Jim Hogg; Webb; Zapata
- Trauma Service Area V – Cameron; Hidalgo; Starr; Willacy

Elective Surgery/Hospital Capacity

Executive Order – GA 31 – hospitals that have less than 15% of COVID patients have no restrictions on elective surgeries.
The following counties are excluded from this order due to high hospitalization rates (see Hospital Capacity Metric below):
- Trauma Service Area S – Calhoun; DeWitt; Goliad; Jackson; Lavaca; Victoria
- Trauma Service Area T – Jim Hogg; Webb; Zapata
- Trauma Service Area V – Cameron; Hidalgo; Starr; Willacy

Hospital Capacity Metric for Reopening

The Governor said that looking at hospital capacity is the most accurate set of data we have in evaluating COVID-19, and will be used as a baseline for additional reopening’s in the state. When hospitalizations are high, the state needs to react and put in place restrictions. When hospitalizations are down, then the state can loosen reopening restrictions.
Texas is broken down into 22 Trauma Service Areas. Counties that reside in Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) with high COVID‑19 hospitalizations are excluded from these reopening’s.
Any TSA that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID‑19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of all hospitalized patients exceeds 15% is excluded from the reopening’s provided under GA‑30 and GA‑31. Once they have seven consecutive days below the 15% threshold, they are eligible for the reopening’s.
The following counties are part of TSAs where, for the last seven days, 15% or more of the hospitalizations have been COVID‑19:
- Trauma Service Area S – Calhoun; DeWitt; Goliad; Jackson; Lavaca; Victoria
- Trauma Service Area T – Jim Hogg; Webb; Zapata
- Trauma Service Area V – Cameron; Hidalgo; Starr; Willacy
DSHS will post TSA Hospitalization Rates here: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/ga3031/

Roll Back

June 26, 2020

Bars
- All bars in Texas are required to close
- They are allowed to do take-out and delivery (including alcoholic beverages)
Restaurants
- All restaurants are to reduce indoor capacity to 50% (previously allowed at 75%)
Rafting & Tubing Businesses
- Must Close
Outdoor Gatherings
- Any gathering over 100 people must be approved by local government

Phase III

June 19, 2020

Amusement Parks/Carnivals
- Counties with < 1,000 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 may open at 50% capacity.

June 12, 2020

Restaurants
- Can expand to 75% capacity
Counties
- Counties with >10 cases can expand all openings to 75%

June 3, 2020

Businesses
- Can expand to 50% capacity
Bars/Wineries/Breweries
- Can expand to 50% capacity (patrons must be seated)
Amusement Parks/Carnivals
- Counties with >1,000 cases may open at 50% capacity
Restaurants
- Can expand maximum table size from 6 to 10 persons

Phase II

May 31, 2020

Adult Recreational Sports
- Practices only, games can’t resume until June 15th
- No spectators allowed during practice (spectators can attend games after June 15th, with proper social distancing
Youth Camps

Youth Sports
- Youth Sports Operators
- Practices cannot have spectators, however, one parent/guardian is allowed
- Games can be held with or without spectators, with 6-feet social distancing
Professional Sports Without In-Person Spectators
- Includes: basketball, baseball, car racing, football, golf, softball, and tennis
- Must apply for approval from DSHS
- No Spectators Allowed

May 29, 2020

Water Parks
- 25% occupancy limit
- Video arcades within the park must remain closed

May 26, 2020

Driver’s Education Programs
- 25% occupancy limit
- 6-feet social distancing, except while driving
Shopping Mall Food-Courts
- Limit of 6 people per table
- 6 feet between tables
- Cleaning and disinfecting after each customer
- No condiments can be left on tables

May 22, 2020

Restaurants
- May increase to 50% capacity indoors
Bars
- 25% capacity indoors
- No loitering at bar, and people should be seated.
- Dancing is discouraged.
- 6-feet between parties.
- No tables of more than 6.
Bowling Alleys, Bingo Halls, Simulcasting, Skating Rinks
- 25% capacity
- 6-feet between parties
- Any interactive components or play areas remain closed
Rodeo / Equestrian Events
- 25% capacity
- 6-feet between parties
- County Fairs are still closed
Zoos, Aquariums, Natural Caverns
- 25% capacity
- Interactive exhibits closed

May 18, 2020

Child Care Centers
- All child care centers can reopen
- Must implement social distancing strategies, intensify cleaning and disinfection, modify drop-off/pick-up, implement screening procedures (details in link above)
Massage and Personal-Care, Beauty Services
- Includes: massage establishments, electrolysis, waxing, tattoo studios, piercing studios, and hair loss treatment services
- 6-feet between work stations
Youth Clubs
- Includes: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, TOP Teens, FFA, etc.
- Indoor meetings cannot be larger than 10 people
- 6-feet social distancing

May 18, 2020

Gyms / Exercise Facilities
- 25% capacity
- Locker rooms & showers remain closed
Manufacturers
- All non-CISA manufacturing facilities may operate up to 25% of the facility’s total listed occupancy
Office-Based Employers
- Offices may operate with up to the greater of 10 individuals or 25% of the total office workforce

May 8, 2020

Barber Shops
- 6-feet between workstations
Cosmetology / Hair Salons
- 6-feet between workstations
Nail Salons / Shops
- 6-feet between workstations
u
- 6-feet between workstations

Phase I

May 5, 2020

Churches and Places of Worship
- See guidance from the AG in link above
Low-COVID-19 Counties
- Can operate at a 50% capacity
- 25% capacity limit
Museums and Libraries
- 25% capacity limit
- Interactive exhibits closed
Outdoor Sports Participants
Parks / Beaches / Bodies of Water
- Indoor swimming pools at 25% capacity
Restaurants
- ~~25%~~ ~~capacity limit~~, 50% capacity limit as of 5/22, 75% capacity limit as of 6/12
- the occupancy limits do not apply to customers seated in outdoor areas of the restaurant; and
- valet services are prohibited except for disabled parking
Retailers
- 25% capacity limit
Single Person Offices
Wedding Reception Venues
- 25% capacity indoors