Category Archives: COVID-19
Governor Abbott Announces Phase One for Re-Opening of Texas Businesses
Today Governor Abbot issued a new Executive Order along with a plan to gradually re-open business in Texas for those businesses that were not previously deemed essential in the Governor’s earlier Order. While Governor Abbott is committed to re-opening business across the state he stressed that the re-opening of business will be done in phases and will follow the recommendations of scientists and health professionals. Phase 1 of the re-opening will begin on May 1st through May 18th. If things go well the state will be able to move to Phase II. The state has published guidelines for businesses that are able to open to help keep people safe – https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas
Retail stores, restaurants and movie theaters will be able to open at 25% capacity. If Phase 1 goes well the State will move to allowing an increase of occupancy to 50%.
The Order allows businesses to open, it does not require them to.
Museums and libraries can open on Friday, May 1st, with the same limitations on capacity.
If Phase 1 goes well the Governor plans to move to Phase 2 in the middle of May, which would allow some other businesses, such as barbers, hairdressers and gyms to open.
It is essential that we continue to implement social distancing practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Governor’s Report to Open Texas https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas outlines the measures that individuals, employers and employees must take in order for businesses to reopen and for us to all help keep ourselves and others safe throughout the process.
Testing and Contact Tracing are important factors of the plan. The Governor’s report states that Texas has mobilized 1,157 state and local contact tracers and will establish a contract tracing call center. Details of how contact tracing will work are briefly outlined in the plan.
The governor recognized that one challenge for people returning to work is the need for childcare and said that the State has established a helpline to help put people in touch with area childcare facilities.
While the Order allows restaurants to re-open with up to 25% capacity it also encourages people to continue to use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks. The Order also reminds people that they are allowed to access essential or reopened services or engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to the grocery store or gas station, providing or obtaining other essential or reopened services, visiting parks, hunting or fishing, or engaging in physical activity like jogging, bicycling, or other outdoor sports, as long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.
To read the announcement on the Governor’s website – https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-phase-one-to-open-texas-establishes-statewide-minimum-standard-health-protocols
San Antonio Mayor Announces Stay Home Work Safe Orders
At 6pm on March 23rd, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge, Nelson Wolff announced Stay Home Work Safe orders limiting activities in San Antonio area to help curtail the spread of COVID-19. The orders will take effect 11:59 on Tuesday March 24th through 11:59 on April 9th unless rescinded, superseded or amended.
The purpose of the orders instructing residents to stay home is to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases that would overwhelm the health care system.
The orders instruct all individuals living within the City of San Antonio and the suburban cities within Bexar County to stay home and only leave their homes to perform allowed activities. There are many exemptions which allow certain essential business and personal activities. People will still be able to go to the grocery store and other activities related to health and safety of themselves and their pets. Restaurants will be allowed to provide drive through and delivery services. Residents are allowed to get out for fresh air and exercise. Non-essential travel is not permitted.
The Mayor’s Order #95 is available here for you to review https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/COVID19/Website%20Docs/Emergency%20Declaration%20No.%205.pdf?ver=2020-03-23-175107-393
The Mayor’s order also supports Judge Wolff’s order to suspend rental evictions and foreclosures for the next 30 days so that individuals who have lost their source of income can remain in their homes during this health crisis.
San Antonio Responds to COVID-19
As our cities, our nation and the world work to respond to and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus the City of San Antonio has been rapidly responding to this continually evolving situation. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and other local leaders are providing regular updates and sharing information and resources with the community to help prevent the spread of the virus and to respond to the social needs in the community as schools and businesses have been closed to help prevent transmission.
COVID-19 Hotline & Prevention – 210-207-5779
Download a COVID-19 Factsheet from the City of San Antonio website at https://311.sanantonio.gov/kb/docs/articles/health-and-social-services/covid-19
To stay up to date on City of San Antonio announcements about COVID-19 go to www.sanantonio.gov/Health/News/Alerts/CoronaVirus
San Antonio Food Bank is distributing kits to help families and individuals in need. If you or a neighbor want to learn more about how to receive assistance visit https://safoodbank.org/help/
San Antonio Metro Health has released an up-to-date, publicly available chart that includes surveillance test and case status in Bexar County. The chart can be viewed at www.sanantonio.gov/covid19
FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO GET COVID-19 ALERTS from the City of San Antonio
- Download the Ready South Texas app, available in the iTunes and Google Play stores, to receive updates on the COVID-19 situation in San Antonio.
- Text COSAGOV to 55000 to receive SMS text message updates.
- Bookmark www.sanantonio.gov
- Follow @COSAGOV on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
True San Antonio Life 