REOPENING BUSINESS GUIDELINES
Texas restaurants, retailers, malls and movie theaters will be allowed to reopen with restrictions beginning Friday, May 1.
More guidelines coming on Monday, May 18.
On Monday, April 27, 2020 Governor Greg Abbott unveiled Phase I of his reopening plan, giving the green light for several business sectors to open their doors, allowing movie theaters, restaurants, malls, retailers, libraries, and museums to operate at 25% capacity.
Under this order, businesses must operate within new health guidelines to minimize exposure and spread of the coronavirus. These precautionary measures were set in place with recommendations from health officials, including the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To learn about the State of Texas’ response to COVID-19, click here.
Let's work together to reopen Texas safely!
KEY RESOURCES TO OPEN BUSINESSES
Basic Business Checklists
Restaurants
-
Do not leave condiments, silverware, flatware, glassware, or traditional table top items on an unoccupied table.
Movie Theaters
- Two or more members of the same household can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (6 feet separation) empty on either side.
- Two individuals who are not members of the same household but who are attending together can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or 6 feet separation) empty on either side.
- Do not leave condiments, silverware, flatware, glassware, etc. on an unoccupied table.
- Provide condiments only upon request, and in single use portions.
- Clean and disinfect the area used for dining after each group of customers
- Use disposable menus (new for each customer)
- Provide condiments or flatware only in single use, individually-wrapped items, and provide condiments only upon request.
- Have employees proper food-handling protocols.
- Disinfect any items that come into contact with customers.
Key Resources
When will it be safe to reopen? How do we protect employees and customers from the coronavirus? Where will my staff get COVID-19 tests? Masks? Gloves? Who’s going to pay for all this?
This section is designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy.
Wish to sell Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the State of Texas? Fill out the Procurement Form here.
Key Resources File Library
A Playbook for your
Small Business
DSHS COVID‑19 Guidance for Employees & Managers
Guidance for Cleaning
& Disinfecting
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health & Safety of all Travelers
Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers
Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace & the Americans with Disabilities Act
Prepare your Small Business & Employees for the Effects of COVID-19
Recommendations & Best Practices for Texas Business that Remain Open in Compliance
TWC Texas Employer Resource Guide Responding to COVID-19