Phased Approach to Reopening

Waco and McLennan County are following the phased approach Governor Abbott set forth by the State of Texas.

Summary of Governor Abbott's Order

What can open and when?

Phase Two Begins (5/18)

Effective on Friday, May 22, 2020:

  • Bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, skating rinks, zoos and aquariums can open at 25% occupancy. (Cameron Park Zoo pending Waco City Council approval, possible open date May 29th.)
  • Restaurants can expand to 50% occupancy.

Effective on Friday, May 31, 2020:

  • Pro sports can open without in-person fans
  • Youth sports and summer camps can also open.

Governor's Order (5/18)

Governor Abbott's Reopen Texas Website

Occupancy Calculator

A tool to help businesses in Phase One determine their occupancy at 25%.

Minimum Recommended Health Protocols (PDFs)

from the Texas Department of State Health Human Services

In accordance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Orders GA-21 and GA-18, the following are the minimum recommended health protocols for Texas.

Effective May 1, 2020

The following protocols, effective 5/1/2020, were revised on 5/5/2020:

Effective May 5, 2020

Effective May 8, 2020

Effective May 18, 2020

Health Protocol Checklist for Individuals

  • Maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals not within the same household.
  • If such distancing is not feasible, other measures such as face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.
  • Self-screen before going into a business for any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms
    of possible COVID-19:

    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty
      breathing
    • Chills
    • Repeated shaking with chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Diarrhea
    • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19
  • Wash or disinfect hands upon entering a business and after any interaction with employees, other customers, or items in the business.
  • Consistent with the actions taken by many individuals across the state, consider wearing cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) when entering a business, or when within 6 feet of another person who is not a member of the individual’s household.
  • If available, individuals should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks.

Health Protocol Checklist for Employers

  • Train all employees on appropriate cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.
  • Screen employees before coming into the business:
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty
      breathing
    • Chills
    • Repeated shaking with chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Diarrhea
    • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19
  • Do not allow employees with the new or worsening signs or symptoms listed above to return to work until:
    • In the case of an employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to
      work when all three of the following criteria are met: at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications); and the individual has improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; or

      • In the case of an employee who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to
        have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to work until the individual has completed the same three-step criteria listed above; or
      • If the employee has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to work before
        completing the above self-isolation period, the individual must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis.
  • Do not allow an employee with known close contact to a person who is lab-confirmed to have
    COVID-19 to return to work until the end of the 14 day self-quarantine period from the last date of exposure (with an exception granted for healthcare workers and critical infrastructure
    workers).
  • Have employees wash or sanitize their hands upon entering the business.
  • Have employees maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals. If such distancing is not
    feasible, other measures such as face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.
  • If an employer provides a meal for employees, employers are recommended to have the meal individually packed for each employee.
  • Consistent with the actions taken by many employers across the state, consider having all employees wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). If available, employees should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks.

More information on Governor Abbott's April 27th Press Conference