Texas in Third Phase of Reopening: Almost All Businesses May Open at 50% Capacity
Texas entered Phase III of reopening last Wednesday, with Governor Greg Abbott allowing bars and virtually every other type of business that was restricted in Phase II to 25% capacity to jump to half-capacity. At restaurants, already at 50% capacity, maximum table sizes were allowed to increase to 10 patrons from six, and starting June 12, they will be permitted to run at 75% capacity.
Amusement parks finally can plan on reopening, though on a staggered basis: counties that have had more than 1,000 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 won’t be able to reopen theme parks such as Six Flags and Sea World until June 19, at 50% capacity. Theme parks in counties that have had fewer than 1,000 cumulative cases, however, were allowed to open at half-capacity immediately — such as the Schlitterbahn locations in New Braunfels and Galveston.
Water parks, which have been open at 25% capacity since May 29, were allowed to immediately go to 50% capacity. Additionally, swimming pools, libraries, museums, rodeos, equestrian events and sporting events – professional, collegiate or similar – were able to immediately operate at 50% capacity.
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Releases Agency Staff Reports
The Sunset Advisory Commission was created by the Texas Legislature in 1977 to make state government more efficient, effective and accountable by regularly evaluating state agencies and making recommendations on the need for, performance of and improvements to agencies under review.
The commission is currently in the process of reviewing 21 state agencies (2 under limited scope review) prior to the 87th Legislature, which will convene in January 2021. Sunset staff reports for the following agencies are now available: Texas Animal Health Commission, Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board, Teacher Retirement System of Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, Prescribed Burning Board, Early Childhood Health and Nutrition Interagency Council, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Due to current events surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the commission’s regular meeting schedule has been disrupted; their meetings page will post updated information as it becomes available.
Only in Texas…
Socially distancing seagulls line up along the pier in Port Aransas, currently one of the top destinations on Airbnb in the U.S. A virtual office can be located just about anywhere, right??