Two Republican governors, Bill Lee of Tennessee and Greg Abbott of Texas, have loosened restrictions on businesses enacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lee has lifted all restrictions while Abbott has loosened most.
Lee told the Chattanooga Times Free Press he was easing pandemic restrictions on businesses and gatherings in 95 counties Sept. 30, while six of the state’s biggest counties will make their own decisions because they have their own health departments.
"While we lift all business restrictions, we don't remove the affirmation to business owners that they should follow safe practices," Lee said during a news conference, quoted in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "We need to continue to do all the things that keep us safe, including our businesses."
However, Lee extended Tennessee’s state of emergency, which will continue through October.
The revised restrictions include a mandate for those residents with virus symptoms to remain at home and not report to work. Residents are urged to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Senior centers and nursing homes will be allowed visitors with limited capacity while maintaining social distancing.
Alcohol sales and carry-out orders will be allowed.
Earlier this year, Tennessee schools districts were allowed to decide whether to open. Under a reopening plan unveiled by Lee in July, almost 109 districts reopened for schooling in August, among the first in the nation to feature in-person instruction. Later 25 districts closed or altered their programs because of potential virus exposure.
In Texas, Abbott announced Sept. 17 that businesses including restaurants, retail shops, office buildings, manufacturers, libraries, museums and gyms could operate at an expanded rate from 50% to 75% capacity in 19 regions of the state beginning Sept. 21.
Bars are to remain closed as are senior centers.
Some businesses are still required at 50% of capacity including weddings, movie theaters, zoos and bowling alleys. Outdoor youth and adult sports resumed in June with spectators allowed as long as 6 feet of social distance is maintained.
Abbott said early in September that the easing of restrictions was made possible by declining numbers of the virus in the state.
"Since my last orders in July, COVID numbers have declined, most importantly hospitalizations,” he told Spectrum News.
Three areas of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Laredo and Victoria, remain more restricted because of a higher risk from the virus.
