CORRECTION: The list of businesses that will reopen on May 8 has been corrected in the first paragraph.

AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott laid out rules by which, on May 8, cosmetology salons, barber shops, hair salons, nail salons and tanning salons may reopen.

He said guidelines and rules will be posted on the state website.

As of May 18, gyms may open at 25 percent capacity. Showers and locker rooms are to remain closed. Outdoor activities need to have certain spacing between people. The equipment must be sanitized and there will be other requirements.

On May 18, manufacturers can reopen with some limitations on spacing and other requirements.

Bars have not been reopened in Abbott’s Tuesday announcement. But Abbott said his office is working hard to reopen bars safely.

Update: During the governor’s press conference, Texas Education Secretary Mike Morath said there are guidelines so that high school graduations and other similar ceremonies can proceed at schools with certain limitations and restrictions.

Morath said some schools have already planned for online graduation ceremony, or hybrid ceremony.

Morath said hybrid ceremonies had already been approved — for example, high school seniors coming one by one in a vehicle to get a diploma and a picture while at the same time all of it being streamed online. Morath indicated the new guidelines will allow for something even more that the hybrid ceremonies.

Morath said the guidelines will be published later in the day on Tuesday.

Abbott said from April 20 to May 4, the number of people tested for COVID-19 or coronavirus more than doubled in Texas. He said hospital capacity remained strong including the availability of hospital beds and intensive care units.

He said the numbers he watches on a daily basis show that everyone in Texas who might need care for COVID-19 can get it. The governor said healthcare facilities in Texas have done a remarkable job of remaining ready and prepared to deal with COVID-19.

On April 27, Abbott announced a new executive order effective on May 1 that would allow some (but not all) Texas businesses to reopen. Restaurants and several other categories of businesses have been allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity statewide since May 1.

Abbott previously said if things go well at 25 percent capacity, then the next step would be to reopen businesses at 50 percent capacity. As of Tuesday morning, some businesses requiring personal services like nail salons, barber shops and so forth have been ordered to remain closed.

Abbott did not mention tattoo shops one way or the other in his Tuesday press conference. We will look for an update, if needed, when his written order becomes available.

“There is still no cure for COVID-19,” Abbott said.

Abbott said he wanted to clarify an issue in his April 27 announcement. He said funerals, memorials, burials and weddings are all treated just like church services in that they may proceed, but there are some requirements on keeping people apart.

Abbott said, as a reminder, in Texas State Parks people must stay six feet apart and no more than five people per group. Face masks are recommended but not required.

As of Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services said 906 people in Texas died from COVID-19. There were 33,369 total cases reported. An estimated 16,791 Texans recovered from COVID-19.

The following is a press release from the office of Texas Governor:

Governor Abbott Expands Business Openings In Texas, Announces Surge Response Teams To Combat COVID-19

Issues Guidance For Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremonies

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference where announced that he will be issuing an Executive Order to expand openings of certain businesses and activities. The Governor also announced new guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on graduation ceremonies and the creation of Surge Response Teams to combat any COVID-19 flare ups in Texas.

“Texas is in a position to continue opening parts of our economy because of the efforts and determination of the people of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Over the past month, Texans have worked together to contain the spread of COVID-19 by following social distancing practices and staying at home whenever possible. As we move forward, I urge all Texans to continue following these social distancing guidelines and the health standards we have provided. With every Texan doing their part, we will contain COVID-19, we will unleash our entrepreneurs, and we will make it through this challenge together.”

The Governor was joined for the press conference by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) Acting Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Adjutant General of Texas Maj. Gen. Tracey Norris.

Per the Governor’s announcement, wedding venues and services required to conduct weddings may immediately open. Weddings held indoors other than at a church, congregation, or house of worship must limit occupancy to 25%. Wedding reception services may also resume, but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25% of the total listed occupancy. These occupancy limits do not apply to the outdoor areas of a wedding reception or to outdoor wedding receptions.

Beginning May 8, cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and shops, and other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice their trade, may open, but all such salons, shops, and establishments must ensure at least six feet of social distancing between operating work stations. Tanning salons may also reopen under the same limitation. Also starting May 8, swimming pools may open subject to certain limitations, including on their occupancy or operating levels.

Beginning May 18, office buildings may open with the greater of five or less individuals or 25% of the total office workforce. These individuals must maintain appropriate social distancing. Gyms, exercise facilities, and exercise classes may also open on May 18, but must operate at 25% occupancy. Locker rooms and shower facilities will remain closed, but restrooms may open. Non-essential manufacturing services may also open on May 18 but facilities must limit their occupancy to 25%.

These newly opened services are subject to recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by DSHS. These protocols will be available on the Open Texas webpage.

During the press conference, Chief Kidd and Commissioner Wilson provided details on the newly formed Surge Response Teams. These teams are led by TDEM and HHSC and include representatives from the the Texas Military Department, DSHS, the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, and BCFS Health and Human Services. Surge Response Teams will serve nursing homes, prisons, packing pants, and other facilities that experience flare ups of COVID-19 by providing personal protective equipment, testing supplies, onsite staffing, and assessment assistance. These teams will also work with local officials to establish health and social distancing standards to contain these flare ups. Several Surge Response Teams have already been deployed to locations across the state. Chief Kidd and Commissioner Wilson’s presentation is available here.

TEA Commissioner Morath also provided new guidance on class of 2020 graduation ceremonies for Texas school districts. The TEA is providing four different pathways for schools to celebrate their graduating seniors, and each district is at liberty to determine if any of these options best serve the needs and desires of their community:

  • Completely virtual ceremonies that take place entirely online, with the use of videoconference or other technologies.
  • Hybrid ceremonies, which consist of a compilation of videos of students being recognized in person as they celebrate graduation in small groups.
  • Vehicle ceremonies, in which students and their families wait in their cars while other graduates are recognized one at time with their families alongside them.
  • Outdoor in-person ceremonies, which are currently permitted for counties as follows:
    • Between May 15 and May 31, an outdoor ceremony may take place in a rural county that has an attestation as described in the Governor’s Report to Open Texas that remains in effect 7 days prior to the ceremony.
    • An outdoor ceremony may take place in any Texas county on or after June 1.

Full details of the TEA’s graduation ceremony guidance can be found on the TEA website.