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AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he will be pausing any further phases to open the state as he responds to the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Currently, the state is in Stage 3 of the governor's reopening plan. Businesses that are permitted to open under the previous phases can continue to operate at the designated occupancy levels and under the minimum standard health protocols provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
RELATED: Texas restaurants increase capacity as state moves to stage 3 of reopening
“As we experience an increase in both positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families,” said Governor Abbott in a news release. “The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses."
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"This temporary pause will help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business. I ask all Texans to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing their hands regularly, and socially distancing from others. The more that we all follow these guidelines, the safer our state will be and the more we can open up Texas for business,” the governor added.
Earlier, Gov. Abbott had announced that he was suspending elective surgeries in Travis, Bexar, Dallas, and Harris Counties in order to ensure hospital bed availability for COVID-19 patients.
RELATED: Gov. Abbott suspending elective surgeries in Travis County to expand hospital capacity
While he continues to urge Texans to follow guidelines like social distancing and wearing face coverings, Gov. Abbott so far has resisted calls for a statewide mandate. He says he has faith in Texans to do the right thing when it comes to keeping each other safe.
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Gov. Abbott encourages Texans to wear masks in public, but is not ordering statewide mandate
The governor told FOX 7 Austin that having local officials adopt face-covering policies is the right approach.
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