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Update 5/18: Texas’ governor begins phase two of Texas reopening for business.
Starting this Friday (May 22), Governor Greg Abbott said, restaurants can move up to 50 percent capacity, and places like bars, brewpubs, and bowling alleys can open at 25 percent capacity.
On May 31st another list of places can open and things like youth sports and summer camps can start to open as well. However, Gov. Abbott added there is one thing that is key to this whole process, “as we open up, we must continue to place health and safety first and foremost.”
The Governor also is giving school districts the option of opening summer school classes, as long as distancing is maintained. That would start on June 1st.
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott will make another announcement today at 2pm about his plan to get more businesses opened up.
Bars and nightclubs are anxiously awaiting that announcement in hopes that they may actually be included. Some bars here in Austin did a soft opening Friday where no customers were allowed. Employees were able to get a feel for some of the changes that may be coming.
Texas gyms today will begin testing the waters and start opening at 25% capacity. For places like Gold’s Gym in Cedar Park, that means 173 people inside at any given time. District manager Leonard Rouse tells CBS Austin they have taken a lot of precautions, including in the locker room.
“We have roped off and chained off entrances into lockers, as well as zip tied all the lockers,” says Rouse.
Gyms will also have to maintain strict social distancing and frequently sanitize.
COVID-19 and legal liability
Reducing liability related to COVID-19 is something a lot of business owners are turning their attention to. During an Austin Chamber of Commerce webinar, attorney Pam Madere says it’s important to create a liability plan covering all the bases.
“Some of the lawsuits that we’ve already seen nationally so far are related to failure to properly screen employees for COVID-19, failure to protect employees from other people,” Madere says.
That plan should evolve along with CDC regulations, and she also recommends getting advice from an employment lawyer.
Several Austin retailers are still keeping their doors closed even with the go-ahead from the governor. Among them is local toy and candy chain, Toy Joy. Manager Austin Boulter says their sales are still hurting due to a drop in tourism and lack of spending. They had to let go of all but their senior staff to survive and have since shifted their sales focus to the digital side. Even with the governor easing restrictions, Boulter says sales are still struggling.
“We’re obviously nowhere near our normal numbers; but for having put this together so quickly I think we’re doing all right.”
Boulter says sales need to return, not just their ability to see more customers in person.
