Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson: Successfully Reopening Texas Means 'Saving Lives And Restoring Livelihoods'
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said Thursday his job now as the Mayor of Dallas is to ensure Governor Greg Abbott's plan to partially reopen businesses is successful.
"In this case being successful means saving lives and restoring livelihoods," said Mayor Johnson.
He said the city is considering plans to reopen the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Arboretum.
He also said the city will not be ready to safely reopen libraries on Friday. He didn't say exactly when they would reopen, but they will.
"I repeat, we are going to reopen them safely," Mayor Johnson said.
Regarding economic issues due to lack of sales tax revenue Mayor Johnson said, "We are going to have to make very difficult decisions if we don't get more resources from the federal government, but I am personally committed to keeping as many of our city services as we can that our residents expect."
Mayor Johnson also talked about the need for more coronavirus testing in the wake of another 179 people in Dallas County being diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday.
"We will get through this, that's for sure, but we cannot let down our guard," said Mayor Johnson.
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Under Gov. Abbott's new executive order all retail stores, restaurants, malls and theaters can reopen on Friday, but at 25% capacity.
"We wanted to make sure that we were able to open up as quickly as possible, but as safely as possible. These are decisions that are the result of tremendous input by the best possible medical team," Gov. Abbott said.
Texans 65 years old and older should still stay home for now.
Barber shops, hairdressers and gyms will not be able to reopen on Friday. They could open in Phase 2.
Phase 2 could begin as early as May 18. That would also expand occupancy to 50%.
"We need to see two weeks of data to confirm no flare up of COVID-19," Gov. Abbott said.
