EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT association OF TEXAS

On September 17, 2020, the Governor issued two Executive Orders related to COVID-19.

One Order expanded occupancy levels for restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities and classes, museums, and libraries. It also lifted any occupancy levels imposed on certain businesses and activities including religious services, local government operations related to licensing, child care services, youth camps, and recreational sports.

The other Order allows for elective surgeries to resume and defined “Areas with high hospitalizations” as, “…any Trauma Service Area that has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID- 19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of all hospitalized patients exceeds 15 percent, until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of all hospitalized patients is 15 percent or less.” It further requires DSHS to maintain a current list of these “areas with high hospitalizations” on their website.

The Governor also announced new guidance related to visitations at nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state.

Here is the link to the Governor’s press release:
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-expands-capacity-for-certain-services-in-texas-announces-guidance-for-nursing-home-long-term-care-visitations

Here is the link to the Governor’s Executive Order expanding/repealing COVID-19 occupancy limits:
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-30_expanded_openings_COVID-19.pdf

Here is the link to the Governor’s Executive Order related to COVID-19 hospital capacity:
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-31_hospital_capacity_COVID-19.pdf