Governor Abbott’s Report to Open Texas

APRIL 27, 2020
As established by Governor Greg Abbott on April 17, 2020, by Executive Order GA-17:

Under the direction of Governor Abbott, with the advice of the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the

House, Attorney General, and Texas Comptroller:

Mission: The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas will safely and strategically restart and revitalize all aspects of the Lone Star State—work, school, entertainment, and culture.

The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas brings together nationally recognized medical experts with public- and private-sector business leaders to achieve this mission.

The Chief Medical Advisors on the Strike Force are health experts who are developing a medical architecture to comprehensively test and trace COVID-19 to enable Texans to gradually and safely begin the process of returning to work and other activities.

The Chief Medical Advisors are working alongside a Special Advisory Council of 39 business leaders representing the state’s regions and industries who are sharing innovative ideas to help businesses strategically open while containing the spread of COVID-19. The Council is collaborating with Working Groups to recommend strategies, statewide standards, and appropriate timeframes to open all sectors of the Lone Star State.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF DOCUMENT

Determine whether your business is an “essential service”

Determine whether your business is an “essential service”

GA-14 Essential Services Designation

Follow these steps to determine whether your business is an “essential service” as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-14:

1.) Is your company covered by one of the 17 Sectors on the DHS Critical Infrastructure List?

A.) A requestor must read through this entire document before making a request:

Click here for DHS Guidance

2.) Are you providing a religious service in a church, congregation, or house of worship?

A.) This sector is considered “essential service” under Texas Executive Order GA-14. If religious services cannot be conducted from home or through remote services, they should be conducted consistent with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, and by implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19

3.) Request a determination from The Texas Division of Emergency Management.

A.) Only if you have determined that your business is not covered by one of the critical sectors identified in the DHS Guidance, and is not a church/congregation/house of worship – please apply using the form below for a determination by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

Per Texas Executive Order GA-14 the following are NOT considered “essential services”:

Cosmetology Salons
Gyms
Massage Establishments
Tattoo Studios
Piercing Studios
Eating/Drinking Inside of Bars/Restaurants/Food Courts

The use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of the executive order.

Source: TDEM http://tdem.texas.gov/essentialservices/