During a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday, March 19, Governor Greg Abbott announced an executive order that includes:
- Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings larger than 10
- People shall avoid restaurants, gyms, bars; no dining in; gyms will be closed; drive-thru, carryout, and delivery are highly encouraged
- People shall not visit nursing homes or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance
- All schools in the state shall be temporarily closed
The executive order is effective midnight Friday, March 20, through midnight April 3, 2020. Abbott made clear that this executive order is NOT a shelter-in-place order.