Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-21 on May 5 further expanding the scope of business reopenings across the state.

Effective Friday, May 8

• Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, tanning salons and other cosmetology shops may reopen, provided employees and customers observe social distancing guidelines. Public and private swimming pools may operate at up to 25 percent capacity.

Beginning May 18

• Non-essential manufacturing facilities may reopen at up to 25 percent occupancy.
• Offices may reopen with the greater of either five people, or 25 percent of the total employees in the office at one time with appropriate social distancing.
• Gyms and fitness facilities may operate at up to 25 percent of occupancy, however, shower and locker room facilities must remain closed.
• Governor Abbott clarified that wedding and funeral services are subject to the same requirements as for other religious services. Beaches, lakes, rivers, and river rafting facilities must observe social distancing guidelines. Restaurants are not required to follow the 25 percent occupancy limit in outdoor seating areas. Customers must, however, follow social distancing protocols.
• Work continues to determine the appropriate health guidelines required to allow bars to reopen, and an exact date for reopening has not been established.

The governor's executive order is the next step in the phased reopening of Texas businesses. The Greater Houston Partnership recently released a report of our recommendations on how we Reopen Houston Safely. The document features best practices and resources that are intended to support businesses across the greater Houston region as they resume work safely, sustainably and successfully. The report is available here