GOP Texas Gov: Lockdown Order Will Expire On Friday

The Austin Statesman reports:

Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday his stay-at-home order “has done its job” and he will let the restriction expire at the end of April. “We’re not just going to open up and hope for the best,” he said in a Capitol news conference. “Opening Texas must occur in phases.”

The governor’s “Phase One” plan will begin Friday, allowing all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls to reopen May 1 at 25% capacity.

Museums and libraries also can reopen with the same occupancy numbers. “This order allows all these businesses to reopen,” he said. “It does not require them to do so.”

NEW: Gov. @GregAbbott_TX says Texans must come together to REBUILD our lives, announces “stay at home” executive order will EXPIRE on April 30.

“I will let it expire as scheduled.”

— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) April 27, 2020

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: All retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls can reopen May 1 — but at no more than 25% of occupancy. In Phase 2 (May 18), 50% occupancy. This supersedes all city-county restrictions.

— Marc Duvoisin (@MarcDuvoisin) April 27, 2020