On April 27, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-18 (Order) regarding the
reopening of Texas businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The Order
permits essential services, as defined in the Order, to continue
operations, and expands the types of businesses authorized to
reopen on May 1, 2020, including retailers, restaurants, movie
theaters, museums and libraries, contact-free outdoor sports,
places of worship, and single-person offices, nearly all of which
are subject to a 25% occupancy restriction. The Order also permits
all licensed healthcare professionals to return to work with minor
restrictions.
The Order is part of the Governor's 3-phase plan for
reopening the state and was issued in tandem with a report entitled
Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's
Report to Open Texas (the "Governor's
report"). The report was prepared by the
governor's Strike Force to Open Texas, which comprises
nationally recognized medical experts, as well as private
