Statement from Bob Harvey, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership

“The marked deterioration of the Houston COVID-19 health data is reaching a critical point, with confirmed positive cases, hospitalizations and ICU usage surging along with most other COVID-19 metrics. The time is now to take action to curb this alarming trajectory.
 
In his comments yesterday, Governor Abbott said that residents across the state should stay home as much as possible. We believe this should include office workers who are back in the workplace but could effectively work from home. We encourage employers to strongly consider returning to a work-from-home model where it is practical.
 
To keep our Houston economy moving forward, we must all do our part, both in the workplace and out in the community. We ask employers to remind their employees that their actions when out in public will likely determine whether the virus enters the workplace. Avoiding crowded venues such as bars, maintaining social distancing, and wearing masks in public spaces are key to stopping the spread of the coronavirus at this critical moment.”