Governor Abbott Expands Local Authority On Outdoor Gatherings

Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the mayors and county judges’ ability to impose restrictions on outdoor gatherings of over 100 people. Previously, this applied only to outdoor events over 500 people. He also ordered HHS to enact emergency rules that provide strict health and safety standards and procedures related to COVID-19 for child care centers. He based the orders because of an increase in COVID-19 transmission from large gatherings of child care centers.

PROCLAMATION
BY GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, in each subsequent month effective today, I have renewed the disaster declaration for all Texas counties; and
WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order GA-26 on June 3, 2020, relating to the expanded opening of Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, under the power and the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do now amend paragraph number 5 of Executive Order GA-26 to read as follows:
5. For any outdoor gathering estimated to be more than 100 people, other than those set forth above in paragraph numbers 1, 2, or 4, the county judge or mayor, as appropriate, in consultation with the local public health authority, may impose additional restrictions;
This proclamation shall remain in effect and full force for as long as Executive Order GA-26 is in effect and full force, unless otherwise modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by the governor.