On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott took additional steps to reopen the state.
As of Tuesday, there are a total of 33,369 positive coronavirus cases in the Lone Star State. That is just over 1,000 more cases than we saw the day before.
Just days after the biggest spike in positive COVID-19 cases in some parts of Texas, Governor Abbott says the state is taking steps to keep people safe while allowing more businesses to reopen.
"The only way that we will be able to continue to open up, is if people follow the best safety practices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus," said Abbott in an interview with 25 News.
He says Texas ranks third in the country for the most recoveries from COVID-19.
"If everybody comes out all of a sudden and starts gathering and socializing together like they were before, let me tell you something, there will be a spike in the spread of COVID-19 and that would cause mitigation measures to have to be used," said Abbott.
The governor has announced plans to reopen barbershops, hair salons and similar services this Friday. With regulations like, the customer and service provider wearing masks.
Owner of Harker Heights hair salon Cheveux Artiste Boutique Latoya Foster says she is eager to reopen and provide a safe environment for her clients.
"We sanitize stations in the back so we can disinfect all our tools after each client before retrieving the next client," said Foster. "They're [the client] going to be waiting in their cars."
Meanwhile, gyms and exercise facilities can reopen May 18 with stipulations as well. Showers and locker rooms must remained closed until further notice and equipment must be disinfected after each use. In addition, customers should use gloves and social distance.
Abbott says the key to reducing the number of cases in the state is by everyone following the new safety guidelines and practicing social distancing.
