'Starting Immediately' Gov. Greg Abbott Says Childcare Services Can Reopen, Bars Too
AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addressed Texas' reopening from the State Capitol amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying that all childcare services can reopen "immediately."
"Every decision I have made as well as every decision I will announce today is unanimously supported by our team of medical experts," he said.
Child care centers, youth clubs such as the Boys and Girls Scouts, and YMCA's and YWCA's can reopen and hold activities.
The governor also addressed another topic that's top of mind for many Texans -- bars.
They can open this Friday.
"Bars, wine tasting rooms, craft breweries and similar businesses can open at a 25% capacity," said Abbott.
Abbott also announced that restaurants and other businesses opened during the previous wave of reopenings may increase their capacity to 50% limitation starting Friday.
Bowling alleys, drive-in concerts, rodeos and equestrian events, zoos and aquariums can reopen Friday as well - all with 25% occupancy. Also, social distancing is required.
Starting May 31, youth sports camps, Little League, daytime and overnight camps, scout camps, Bible study, and 4H camps can begin. Some professional sports like pro golf, auto racing and baseball can return without in-person spectators.
And on June 1: school districts can hold summer school, again -- social distancing required.
But when it comes to theme parks like Six Flags, Abbott tapped the brakes.
"Those parks have unique challenges."
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued a statement in response to Monday's announcement that read in part:
"If we don't do this safely, we risk a deadly boomerang effect, and then all of our hard work and sacrifices will have been for nothing. Our approach needs to be led by doctors and public health experts, not political donors and lobbyists."
Abbott also acknowledged that deaths and positive cases keep rising. He said testing continues to rise and that the numbers of positive tests compared to all of the tests has decreased.
Critics however, don't believe him.
The governor also said the state has enough hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators. The state's top doctor said they are still trying to hire 4,000 contact tracers who can call those who tested positive and trace who they were close to. But the state still can't do that with everyone.
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