COVID-19 Update
Gov. Abbott orders Phase III to open Texas, extends emergency SNAP benefits
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday the third phase of the State of Texas’ plan to safely open the economy while containing the spread of COVID-19 and last Wednesday, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide approximately $177 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for June in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under Phase III, effective immediately, all businesses in Texas will be able to operate at up to 50% capacity, with very limited exceptions. Businesses that previously have been able to operate at 100% capacity may continue to do so, and most outdoor areas are not subject to capacity limits. All businesses and customers should continue to follow minimum standard health protocols laid out by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)”, Abbott said in a press release.
Abbott said Phase III is based on the advice and support of the four doctors on the Strike Force to Open Texas medical team. Via Executive Order, Phase III begins immediately.
“The people of Texas continue to prove that we can safely and responsibly open our state for business while containing COVID-19 and keeping our state safe,” said Governor Abbott. “As anticipated, the new positive cases that we are seeing are largely the result of isolated hot spots in nursing homes, jails, and meat packing plants. Thanks to the effectiveness of our Surge Response Teams, we have the ability to contain those hot spots while opening up Texas for business. As we begin Phase III, I ask all Texans and Texas businesses to continue following the standard health protocols and to heed the guidance of our state and federal officials who continue to closely monitor COVID-19. If we remain vigilant, we will continue to mitigate the spread of this virus, protect public health, and get more Texans back to work and their daily activities.”
Between May 26th and June 2nd, over 45% of new cases came from jails or prisons, meatpacking plants and nursing homes. There are currently 1,487 Texans hospitalized due to COVID-19. There are 20,679 active cases in the state and 45,858 Texans are estimated to have recovered.
Effective June 3, all businesses currently operating at 25% capacity can expand their occupancy to 50% with certain exceptions. Bars and similar establishments may increase their capacity to 50% as long as patrons are seated. Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with less than 1,000 confirmed positive cases may open at 50% capacity. Restaurants may expand their maximum table size from 6 to 10 persons.
Effective June 12, Restaurants may expand their occupancy levels to 75%. Counties with 10 or less active COVID-19 cases may expand their occupancy limits to 75%. Counties that fit this category but have not previously filed an attestation with DSHS will need to do so.
Effective June 19, Amusement parks and carnivals in counties with more than 1,000 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 may open at 50% capacity.
Special provisions have been made for outdoor gatherings, such as celebrations for the Fourth of July, but Abbott said it is imperative that local officials and public health officials collaborate on “safe” standards. These provisions are included in the Governor’s Executive Order and are also available on the Open Texas webpage.
Abbott said that all businesses should continue to follow the minimum standard health protocols from DSHS. For details and a full list of guidelines, openings, and relevant dates, visit http://open.texas.gov.
Abbott encourages individuals to wear appropriate face coverings, not to group in numbers greater than ten when possible, over the age of 65 to stay home as much as possible and to continue avoiding nursing homes, state-supported living centers and assisted living facilities.
HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size.
“As we continue the process of safely and strategically opening Texas for business, we are committed to ensuring families across the state have access to nutritious food,” said Governor Abbott. “This extension of emergency benefits will help Texans in need provide for their families while our state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This extension helps ensure those who need it most are able to continue providing nutritious food for their families and maintain their health,” said Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter. “We’ll continue to be flexible in our response to this pandemic to make sure Texans can access the services they need as this situation evolves.”
More than 900,000 SNAP households will see the additional amount on their Lone Star Card by June 12. The emergency June allotments are in addition to the $414.7 million in benefits previously provided to Texans in April and May.
Administered by HHSC, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.4 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas.
Cass County COVID-19 cases remain low, reports first related death
As of Monday, June 6, Cass County has a total of 32 cases with 27 recoveries and one death.
The county’s first COVID-19 related death was reported last Monday, June 1.
Bowie County Emergency Operations Center reports a total of 173 positive COVID-19 cases, with 88 recoveries and 13 related deaths.