Closes Schools For Remainder Of Academic Year

Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Establishing Strike Force To Open Texas

Directs Select Services To Reopen, Closes Schools For Remainder Of Academic Year

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference where he issued three new Executive Orders to begin the process of reopening the state of Texas while revising hospital capacity and certain social distancing guidelines. Within the orders, select activities and services that pose minimal to no threat of spreading COVID-19 are allowed to reopen using a "Retail-To-Go" model, certain restrictions on surgeries have been loosened, and schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. 

Within these orders, the Governor has established the Strike Force to Open Texas—a team of nationally recognized medical experts and private and public leaders who will advise the Governor on safely and strategically reopening the state of Texas. 

"Texans are battling a colossal challenge—an invisible enemy that has tested our lives and our livelihoods—but overcoming challenges is part of who we are as Texans," said Governor Abbott. "We have shown that Texas can continue our efforts to contain COVID-19 while also adopting safe standards that will allow us to begin the process of reopening Texas. The Strike Force to Open Texas brings together nationally recognized medical experts with public and private sector leaders to achieve this mission. By coming together, we can get Texans back to work, practice safe standards that will prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we can overcome this pandemic."

Closes Schools For Remainder Of Academic Year
Governor Greg Abbott amended a previous executive order, maintaining that schools will now remain closed for the remainder of the school year. Area schools must continue distance learning, though the the Texas Commissioner of Education will provide guidance in the near future regarding graduation and the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.