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Open Texas

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1. Is Texas open for business?

JUNE 26 - Governor Abbott places limits on certain businesses and services with direct link to infections 

Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The order includes the following:

• All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12:00 PM Friday, June 26. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 
• Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.
• Rafting and tubing businesses must close.
• Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.

Further Protocols:

All businesses should continue to follow the minimum standard health protocols from DSHS. For details and a full list of guidelines, openings, and relevant dates, visit http://open.texas.gov.

Reminders for those going out:

• Individuals are encouraged to wear appropriate face coverings.
• People should not be in groups greater than ten when possible.
• People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.
• People are still asked to avoid nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, or long-term care facilities.

View the Governor’s Executive Order.

2. Do I still have to stay home?

Beginning May 1, Texans are allowed to leave home to provide or obtain essential services or reopened services (restaurants, retailers, theaters, malls); however, social gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household should still be minimized.

3. Should I still practice social distancing, good hygiene, and wear a mask in public?

Yes. COVID-19 is still a threat to public health, and it is up to us as individuals to practice good hygiene to reduce risk. Keep a six foot distance between yourself and others, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, stay home if you are feeling sick, and wear a cloth mask when out in public. 

4. Are there special guidelines for people over the age of 65?

Guidelines for people over the age of 65 are posted on pages 6 and 7 in Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas. These guidelines include:

• Minimize face-to-face contact with others. Avoid young children.
• If someone is assisting you, you and your family members or caretaker should wear cloth face masks. Remember a family member or caretaker can give you the virus even if they don’t appear to have symptoms.
• Try grocery or restaurant delivery, mail order prescriptions, and phone appointments with your doctor. Call 2-1-1 if you need help with essentials.
• Reach out to friends, family, or neighbors who can deliver essential items.
• If you must go out, wear a cloth face mask, and stay six feet away from others.
• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often.
• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, or eating utensils with others.
• If you have mild symptoms (difficulty breathing, or a rapidly worsening cough or fever), call your healthcare provider. If symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1.
• Check in regularly with neighbors, friends, and family by calling, texting, emailing, video chatting, or even writing letters.
• Walking, gardening, digital books, games, and online religious services are great ways to stay active and connected.

5. How can I determine my business’ capacity?

To determine your occupancy limit, please contact the San Marcos FD Prevention Division at (512) 805-2600 or fireplan@sanmarcostx.gov, and an Inspector will respond to your location and calculate your allowed occupancy.

6. I am the owner of a restaurant or retail business reopening. What should I do to keep myself, employees and customers safe?

• All employees should be trained on environmental cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.
• Screen employees before coming into the business for new or worsening cough; shortness of breath; sore throat; loss of taste or smell; feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit; or known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. Any employee who meets any of these criteria should be sent home.
• Upon entering the business, employees wash or sanitize hands.
• Maintain at least 6 feet separation from one another.

7. As a business owner, am I allowed to require customers to wear face coverings in my establishment?

Yes, individual businesses can require face coverings be worn by customers upon entry.

8. If I would like to dedicate certain periods of time each day for only at-risk customers, what are my options?

It is preferable to allocate 1 to 2 hours in the morning hours for at-risk customers.  This allows them to access the facility early in the day before other customers have occupied the space.

9. When do restaurants open?

Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.

10. How about bars?

All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12:00 PM June 26, 2020. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.  

11. When do retailers open?

All businesses currently operating at 25% capacity can expand their occupancy to 50% with certain exceptions. Full details are listed at https://open.texas.gov/ 

12. When do salons and barbershops open?

Effective May 8, 2020, salons and barber shops may operate provided they can ensure at least 6 feet social distancing between operating work stations and service of one customer at a time per stylist. Because of the proximity between individuals in these facilities, stringent compliance with these protocols is strongly recommended: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Checklist-Barber-Shops.pdf

https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Checklist-Cosmetology-Hair-Salons.pdf

13. When do gyms open?

Gyms and exercise facilities and classes may operate up to 50% of the total listed occupancy of the gym or exercise facility. Locker rooms and shower facilities must remain closed, but restrooms may be open. Employees and contractors of the gym or exercise facility are not counted towards the 25% occupancy limitation. Full safety checklist: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Checklist-Gyms-Exercise-Facilities.pdf

14. When do movie theaters open?

Movie theaters may open at 50% capacity.

15. When do museums and libraries open?

Museums and libraries may open at 50% capacity.

16. What if I have other questions about my business reopening?

Please contact the COVID-19 Business Hotline at (512) 393-5930.

17. Will City Facilities, including the San Marcos Public Library, open on May 1?

All City facilities that are currently closed, including the public library, parks and playscapes, will remain closed at this time and opening will be evaluated in coordination with the results of the additional state testing.

18. Are City Parks open?

River parks, greenspaces and nature trails are open to the public but caution is still advised. In addition, the Dog Park is now open. For a listing of open and closed parks and greenspaces, visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/covid19parksinfo 

19. When can I enjoy outdoor sports?

Consistent with the actions taken by many individuals across the state, consider wearing cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) when participating in the adult recreation sports event and practice. If available, individuals should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks. Spectators should avoid being in a group larger than 10 individuals. Within these groups, individuals should, to the extent possible, minimize in-person contact with others not in the individual’s household. Minimizing in-person contact includes maintaining 6 feet of separation from individuals.

20. What do I do if my employer is asking me to return to work, but I, or someone I am caring for, am experiencing COVID-19 symptoms?

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. For more information, contact 1-866-487-9243.

21. Can we attend religious services?

Religious services may remain open and are advised to maintain minimum standard health protocols. This also applies to funeral services, burials, and memorials.

22. Where can I read the Governor’s Report to Open Texas?

You can find a link to the Open Texas Report at the Open Texas webpage. 

23. Are there any restrictions on outdoor events in San Marcos?

The Governor has issued an executive order stating outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions. In San Marcos, the special event permit process still applies, such as for large gatherings, concerts, festivals, etc. Contact the San Marcos Fire Marshal’s office for more information.