AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Tuesday that he is requiring Texans to only leave their homes for “essential services” as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb.
The Governor said the Executive Order shouldn’t be considered a “stay at home” or “shelter in place” order because Texans are allowed to leave home to engage in “essential services.”
“Texans are expected to limit personal interactions that can lead to the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “While also still having the freedom to conduct daily activities such as going to the grocery store.”
The list of “essential services” is broad and is similar to mandates already issued across North Texas.
According to Governor Abbott, as of Tuesday at 12 p.m. 3,266 people in Texas have tested positive for COVID-19. 122 of the state’s 254 counties are reporting at least one case. At least 41 Texans have died from the virus.
The Executive Order does not prohibit people from accessing essential services or engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to the grocery store or gas station, providing or obtaining other essential services, hunting or fishing, or engaging in physical activity like jogging or bicycling, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household. The order also includes exemption for religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship. All critical infrastructure will remain operational, and government entities and businesses will continue providing essential services.
The order will be effective on a statewide basis starting at 12:01 AM on April 2, 2020 and will end on April 30, 2020.
Click Here for a Full list of essential services listed by the Governor.
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