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- Governor Abbott
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has updated his COVID-19 executive orders to start the re-opening of many more Texas businesses.
As of May 1, retail stores, restaurants, movie theatres, malls, and museums are allowed to open up to 25% occupancy. The occupancy can expand to 50% on May 18 under phase 2 if there is no surge in COVID-19 cases. The Governor noted that while the businesses are allowed to open, there is no requirement to do so if business owners feel uncomfortable.
Local healthcare providers who are in private practice are also allowed to re-open as of May 1. In all cases, the businesses are asked to follow social distancing guidelines.
Businesses that cannot re-open as of yet include hair salons, bars, and gyms. The Governor said he hopes that they would be allowed to open no later than mid-May. He made the changes after creating and consulting with the newly created Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas.
Earlier this month, he allowed for the opening state parks during daytime hours, elective surgeries, and a retail-to-go model.
“The Governor’s orders support a safe and responsible re-opening of many Southlake businesses,” said Southlake Mayor Laura Hill. “We’ve already seen many of our stores embrace the curbside pick-up and the retail-to-go model; I know our business owners will find success working with the new changes as well.”
At their April 21 meeting, the Southlake City Council discussed the formation of a business leaders task force to support Southake’s business and economic re-opening. To hear the Council’s discussion, click here.
For the latest COVID-19 related updates and links to county, state, and federal sites, visit www.ProtectSouthlake.com. For a list of City E-Services and Southlake business resources related to the re-opening, visit www.CityofSouthlake.com. Be sure to follow Mayor Hill’s Facebook page and the City’s social media for the latest City news.
In accordance with Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s action that allows telephonic or videoconference meetings of governmental bodies that are accessible to the public and reduce in-person interaction and encourage social distancing, the April 28 SPIN Town Hall Forum will be held virtually.
Meeting Agenda
To review the meeting agenda, please visit: https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/AgendaCenter.
Watch the Meeting
To simply watch the meeting, visit: https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/VOD. Scroll down and select the “Live” tab. Once the meeting has concluded, it will post to the City’s on-demand video player (at the same link as above) no later than the morning of Monday, May 4.
Meeting Participation
For those who want to participate during the meeting, you are required to register with the City at this link, starting 90 minutes (4:30 p.m.) before the 6:00 p.m. start time. Participation instructions will be sent to the email provided. Please note that at the time of the registration, participants will be held in a queue until the meeting starts. Please also allow for possible delay in the video at your location if internet connection speeds are slow.
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation is frequently changing. The City of Southlake is committed to working with our residents and businesses as this unprecedented situation unfolds. For the latest City news and information, visit: www.ProtectSouthlake.com, Mayor Laura Hill’s Facebook page and the City’s Facebook pages.
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Governor Greg Abbott issued an updated Executive Order that gave Texans new COVID-19 guidelines.
The order says that Texans shall minimize social gatherings and in-person contact until April 30 except when to provide or obtain essential services. It also stated that “Essential services shall consist of everything listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce,” as well as religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship.
The Governor additionally ordered, “In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall remain temporarily closed to in-person classroom attendance and shall not recommence before May 4, 2020.”
The updated order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. April 2, 2020. You can read it in its entirety by clicking here.
Governor Abbott’s update came one day after President Trump extended federal social distancing guidelines until the end of April.
To help you stay informed as this situation evolves, the City of Southlake has created an information page, www.ProtectSouthlake.com, that provides a centralized place for Southlake news and resources. It also contains links to the COVID-19 pages located on county, state, and federal sites.
For mobile phone text message updates from the City, type PROTECTSLK to 888-777. Be sure to follow Mayor Hill’s Facebook page and the City’s Facebook page for the latest City news.