Houston Chronicle by Jeremy Wallace , Jasper Scherer and Jeremy Blackman April 27, 2020
Gov. Abbott strikes down Harris County face mask fines, closures of restaurants, malls, theaters
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he is overriding restrictions enacted by Houston and Harris County officials and allowing the reopening of all restaurants, retail stores, malls and movie theaters starting Friday as the state moves to spark its economy amid the global pandemic.
With testing for COVID-19 on the rise and the percent of positive tests falling, the governor said the state has effectively stunted the spread of the virus and cities and counties should begin allowing residents to safely return to work. Beginning Friday, he said, most businesses will be able to reopen at limited capacity, and pockets of the state with just a handful of documented cases can open even more, with guidelines in place to encourage social distancing.
“We’re not just going to open up and hope for the best,†said Abbott, a Republican.
Retail businesses, restaurants, movie theaters and malls across the state will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity, as will museums and libraries. Bars, barber shops, gyms and hair salons will remain closed, likely until mid-May, Abbott said. Masks and other strategies to contain the virus will be encouraged but not mandated.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Gov-Abbott-s-order-strikes-down-Harris-County-15229564.php
