Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas will allow some businesses — like retail stores, restaurants and malls — to open as early as Friday May 1st, with new rules outlined by the governor’s taskforce.

Retailers and Malls

Malls and retailers across Texas can reopen but must keep capacity limited to 25%. But for rural counties with five or less confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, retailers can serve up to 50% of their regular capacity.

Areas including food court dining space, play areas and interactive displays must remain closed.

Retailers can also offer customers in-store pick up or get items delivered by mail or to their doorstep.

The task force recommends stores implement either specific pick up times for at-risk customers or that workers take their purchase out to the customer’s car.

Restaurants

On Friday, dine-in service is back on at restaurants but capacity is limited to 25%. But for rural counties with five or less confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, restaurants can serve up to 50% of their regular capacity.

Only six people will be allowed at a table and parties will be seated at least 6 feet apart from each other.

Patrons who choose to dine-in at a restaurant should expect a few new practices: disposable menus, condiments served only upon request and in single-use portions (a side of ketchup instead of a ketchup bottle), buffets that aren’t self serve and a hand sanitizing station at the restaurant entrance.

Restaurants that reopen dine-in service are encouraged to have an employee open doors to limit how many people come in contact with it and employees should disinfect surfaces and store items.

Although this plan is implemented to open Texas back up it is up to the business as not every restaurant is opening Friday May 1st, so it is best you check in before going to dine-in and some having their own specific requirements (gloves, mask, sanitize upon walking in, and temperature check) are all possible to be required went entering a public or private business so stay prepared and healthy.