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Documenting Texas' path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Texas coronavirus coverage
Debate in Texas
Texas government responses
School reopenings in Texas
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Texas' reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

July 2021

  • July 2: On Thursday, July 1, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) extended the statewide COVID-19 disaster emergency through the end of the month.

June 2021

  • June 29: On Monday, June 28, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced he was allocating $94.6 million in federal COVID-19 CARES Act funds to the Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Board will use the money to increase student enrollment and help colleges and universities expand or start programs in fields experiencing labor shortages, including healthcare and logistics.
  • June 28: The state stopped participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs June 26. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) made the announcement May 17.
  • June 16: On Tuesday, June 15, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signedHouse Bill 1239. The bill prohibits state and local government officials or agencies from closing houses of worship during a state of emergency. The Senate passed the bill 28-3, while the House passed the bill 113-30.
  • June 8: On Monday, June 7, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill prohibiting state and local government agencies from issuing COVID-19 documentation that could be used to verify a person’s vaccination status. The bill also prohibits government agencies and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to receive services or enter the premises. Abbott previously issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies and businesses that receive state funding from requiring proof of vaccination.
  • June 7: On Monday, June 7, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) extended the statewide COVID-19 disaster emergency through June.
  • June 2: On Monday, May 31, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that Texas will end its participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs on June 26.

May 2021

  • May 27: On Wednesday, May 26, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that groups of five or more people can now participate in the State Mobile Vaccine Program. Under the program, groups of people can call the state vaccine hotline and schedule a mobile vaccine clinic. Previously, the program had been available only to organizations with 20 or more employees.
  • May 18: On Monday, May 17, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced the state would end its participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs on June 26, 2021.
  • May 13: On Wednesday, May 12, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed House Bill 1024, which makes permanent a waiver issued in March 2020 allowing restaurants and bars to sell beer, wine, and mixed-drinks in to-go orders.
  • May 6: On Wednesday, May 5, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) extended the statewide coronavirus emergency through May.

April 2021

  • April 14: On Tuesday, April 13, the Texas Senate approved two measures that would limit the governor’s power to issue state of emergency declarations. The Senate voted 30-1 to pass Senate Bill 1025, which would limit emergencies to 30 days unless extended by the legislature. The bill would also prohibit governors from issuing orders that close businesses or impose occupancy limits unless first debated and approved by the legislature. The Senate also voted 30-1 to approve Senate Joint Resolution 45, which would amend the state Constitution to allow the changes in Senate Bill 1025 to take effect. Both bills now go to the House. If the House approves both bills, Senate Joint Resolution 45 will go on the ballot, and Senate Bill 1025 will only take effect if a majority of voters approved the measure.
  • April 6: On Monday, April 5, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) prohibited government agencies, businesses, and institutions that receive state funding from requiring people to show proof they’ve received a coronavirus vaccine.

March 2021

  • March 31: On Tuesday, March 30, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for youth summer camps licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The program will provide staff and campers with rapid antigen tests.
  • March 29: All residents 16 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 29.
  • March 23: On Tuesday, March 23, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced that residents 16 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 29.
  • March 15: Residents age 50 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine starting March 15.
  • March 12 : On Thursday, March 11, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced he was suing Travis County and the City of Austin for continuing to enforce mask mandates. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) lifted the statewide mask mandate March 10.
  • March 11: On Wednesday, March 10, the Department of State Health Services announced that residents 50 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on March 15.
  • March 10: On Tuesday, March 2, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an order ending the statewide mask mandate and allowing all businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning March 10. If COVID-19 hospitalizations exceed 15% of hospital bed capacity in any of the state’s 22 hospital regions for seven consecutive days, then a county judge may impose some restrictions. Those restrictions cannot include capacity limits below 50%. The order also prohibits jurisdictions from penalizing people for not wearing face coverings.
  • March 3: On Tuesday, March 2, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an order ending the statewide mask mandate and allowing all businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning March 10. If COVID-19 hospitalizations get above 15% of hospital bed capacity in any of the state’s 22 hospital regions for seven consecutive days, then a county judge may impose some restrictions. Those restrictions cannot include capacity limits below 50%, however. The order also prohibits jurisdictions from penalizing people for not wearing face coverings.

February 2021

  • February 24: On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the percentage of hospital beds devoted to COVID-19 patients in the Southeast Texas Trauma Service Area, which includes Houston, remained below 15% for seven consecutive days, allowing restaurants and other businesses to increase their operating capacity from 50% to 75% capacity, up from 50%. In an Oct. 7, 2020, executive order, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) mandated tighter restrictions in regions that saw high levels of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The executive order permits county judges to decide if bars can reopen in regions where COVID-19 hospitalizations are below 15% of hospital capacity.
  • February 9: On Tuesday. Feb. 9, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced the Texas Rent Relief Program, which will help qualified households with rent and utility payments. The program will administer more than $1 billion in federal COVID-19 funding provided to Texas.

January 2021

  • January 6: On Jan. 5, Trauma Service Area Q, which includes the city of Houston and is one of several regions used by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to assess COVID-19 spread, passed the seven-day hospitalization threshold requiring stricter restrictions. The restrictions, laid out in Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) Oct. 7 executive order, include a ban on elective surgeries and indoor service at bars and a reduction to 50% capacity for most businesses. COVID-19 patients will need to comprise less than 15% of total hospital capacity in the region for seven consecutive days to return to the previous phase.

December 2020

  • December 4: On Thursday, Dec. 3, COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Texas exceeded Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) threshold that would trigger new restrictions on businesses. Restaurants and gyms will have to reduce capacity to 50%, and bars whose sales of alcohol make up more than 51% of revenue will need to close.

October 2020

  • October 14: On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management have partnered to pilot a program for COVID-19 rapid testing in eight school systems.
  • October 7: On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced on Facebook that country judges can allow bars and similar establishments to reopen at 50% capacity in regions with low COVID-19 hospitalization rates beginning Oct. 14. Bars in counties that opt in will be required to keep patrons seated while indoors. Additionally, businesses like amusement parks and movie theaters in low hospitalization counties will be permitted to reopen at 75% capacity on Oct. 14.

September 2020

  • September 21: Several types of businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and office buildings in 19 out of the state’s 22 hospital regions can expand operating capacity to 75% on Sept. 21.
  • September 17: On Sept. 17, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that several types of businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and office buildings in 19 out of the state’s 22 hospital regions will be permitted to expand operating capacity to 75% on Sept. 21. Those businesses are currently limited to 50% capacity. Abbott did not say when bars would be allowed to reopen.
  • September 8: On Monday, Sept. 7, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed an executive order extending the statewide COVID-19 disaster declaration. Abbott first enacted the declaration in March and has subsequently extended it several times. The disaster declaration allows the state to access and direct resources to combat the pandemic.

August 2020

  • August 26: On Aug. 25, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) adopted an emergency rule allowing bars and breweries to reopen as restaurants if they serve food from trucks or other vendors. Establishments must also set aside a dedicated area for preparing and storing food.
  • August 21: On Aug. 20, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the Texas Education Agency and the Department of State Health will soon begin to publish COVID-19 case numbers at schools. School districts will be required to report confirmed cases to the state within a day.
  • August 13: At an Aug. 13 news conference, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said he would need to see hospital capacity increase and the state’s positivity rate fall below 10% for a “sustained period of time” before he would consider reopening bars.
  • August 7: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced on Aug. 6 it was lifting restrictions on nursing and long-term care facilities to allow for limited visitations if certain requirements are met. At nursing facilities, visits are restricted to outdoor settings. For long-term care facilities, indoor and outdoor visitations are permitted, but physical contact between patients and visitors is prohibited. Visitations can only happen at both kinds of facilities if there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days.

July 2020

  • July 20: In an open letter to religious private schools dated July 17, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) wrote that such entities are exempt from local orders closing or restricting school operations. According to Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has said that private schools are not bound by orders that apply to public schools. Additionally, on July 17, the Texas Education Agency extended the time local school districts can keep schools closed and teach students remotely without losing funding. According to the new rules, districts can teach students remotely for up to eight weeks from the start of the school year, so long as the local school board votes on the matter after four weeks.
  • July 15: On July 14, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said that schools would be permitted to delay returning students to physical classrooms for longer than originally planned. Previously, state guidance said schools should offer three weeks of virtual instruction to start the year but could lose state funding if they did not return to in-person instruction after that period. Abbot said he would provide more information soon.
  • July 9: On July 9, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a proclamation suspending elective surgeries in hospitals in 11 of the state’s trauma service areas. Texas is divided into 22 trauma service areas. The proclamation was aimed at expanding hospital capacity to deal with a surge in coronavirus cases.
  • July 8: Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath released guidance for reopening schools in the fall on July 7. Parents will be able to choose between on-campus and distance learning options. Masks will be required in school buildings.

June 2020

  • June 30: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced Tuesday, June 30, that he was pausing elective surgeries in four additional counties, bringing the total number of counties with bans on elective surgeries to eight. The eight counties have experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
  • June 26: In response to a rise in coronavirus cases, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced on June 26 he was reimposing some statewide restrictions on businesses, including ordering all bars to close by 12:00 p.m. that day. Restaurants, which are currently allowed to operate at 75% capacity, will only be allowed to operate at 50% capacity beginning on June 29. The new order also requires rafting and tubing businesses to close and says local authorities must approve outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
  • June 24: On June 23, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed an order granting county and city authorities more latitude to impose local coronavirus restrictions. According to the order, a county judge or mayor can, in consultation with local health authorities, limit gatherings of more than 100 people. At a press conference that day, Abbott noted that local authorities could impose mask requirements.
  • June 19: Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the state's schools would open to students in the fall. Morath said guidance for schools would be released in the future. Additionally, amusement parks and carnivals can reopen at 50% capacity across the state.
  • June 12: Effective June 12, restaurants are permitted to expand operations to 75% occupancy.
  • June 4: Gov. Greg Abbott announced at a press conference on May 3 that Texas had entered Phase III of the reopening plan. Some restrictions were eased immediately, allowing most businesses to operate at 50% capacity. Bars can operate at 50% capacity, so long as customers remain seated. Restaurants can now seat 10 people to a table. In counties with fewer than 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, amusement parks and carnivals can open at 50% capacity. Restrictions will be further eased on June 12 and 19.
  • June 1: Fans can attend outdoor professional sporting events at 25% of a venue's capacity beginning May 31. Leagues will need to receive approval from the Texas Department of State Health Services before holding events with spectators. Day and overnight youth camps, as well as youth sports, were also permitted to begin operating that day.

May 2020

  • May 22: Effective May 22, bars, breweries, and wine rooms are permitted to reopen at 25% capacity, and restaurants are permitted to reopen at 50% capacity. Additionally, indoor entertainment, like bowling alleys and skating rinks, are allowed to reopen at 25% capacity.
  • May 18: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) added daycares to the list of businesses that were scheduled to reopen on May 18, which included gyms, office spaces, and non-essential manufacturing. Abbott also announced that bars and bowling alleys may reopen with restrictions on May 22 in most counties and that restaurants may expand capacity up to 50% that day. Youth sports and overnight camps can reopen on May 31. Abbott delayed that reopening in El Paso, Randall, Potter, and Deaf Smith Counties, saying each had seen a spike in coronavirus cases. Bars in those counties may reopen, and restaurants may expand to 50% capacity, on May 29.
  • May 8: The second phase of the state’s reopening plan started Friday, May 8. Businesses allowed to reopen at 25% capacity include barbershops, nail salons, and swimming pools.
  • May 6: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that a number of businesses, including gyms, hair salons, and tanning salons, would be allowed to reopen within the next two weeks. Texas is in the first phase of its reopening plan.

April 2020

  • April 28: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an executive order allowing retail stores, malls, restaurants, and theaters to reopen on May 1 at 25% max occupancy. The order also allows libraries and museums to open. The new order supersedes any local orders. Abbott said he wants personal care businesses, gyms, and bars to open “as soon as possible” and said he expected that to happen by mid-May.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Texas Department of State Health Services released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Texas state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] COVID-19 Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Texas vaccine rollout timeline
Where can I find the distribution plan? COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? Texas COVID-19 Data
Where is the state health department's homepage? Texas Department of State Health Services
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Texas - AARP

Timeline

  • March 29, 2021: Texas residents 16 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[2]
  • March 23, 2021: The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that residents 16 and older would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 29.[3]
  • March 15, 2021: Texas residents age 50 and older became eligible for coronavirus vaccines.[4]
  • March 11, 2021: The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that residents 50 and older would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on March 15.[5]


Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Texas have restrictions on travel? No. The quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers ended on May 21, 2020.[6]

More information can be found at Texas.

Timeline

  • May 21, 2020: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ended quarantine requirements for out-of-state travelers.[7]
  • April 26, 2020: Abbott issued a new executive order lifting restricting on out-of-state travelers from Louisiana. Travelers from the remaining states on the list still needed to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering Texas.[8]
  • March 29, 2020: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an executive order requiring people traveling into Texas on roadways from Louisiana or other states and cities determined thereafter self-quarantine for two weeks. Vital workers, determined by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, were exempt. Those who qualified for quarantine needed to fill out a form provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Failure to comply could have resulted in a $1,000 fine and or jail time up to 180 days. The order went into effect March 30.[9]
  • March 26, 2020: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an executive order requiring people flying to Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or New Orleans self-quarantine for two weeks. California, Louisiana, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Miami were later added.[10] Vital workers, determined by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, are exempt. Those who qualify for quarantine must fill out a form provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Failure to comply could have resulted in a $1,000 fine and or jail time up to 180 days. The order went into effect March 28.[11]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a statewide mandate requiring people living in counties with more than 20 coronavirus cases to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor settings when social distancing wasn't possible. Counties with fewer than 20 coronavirus cases could be exempted if they chose to opt out.[12]

Abbott lifted the state's mask requirement effective March 10, 2021. On May 18, 2021, Abbott signed an order prohibiting local governments and public schools from issuing mask mandates. The order exempted prisons, state-run hospitals, and state-supported living centers. The order was scheduled to take effect May 21 for local governments. Public schools could continue their mask policies until June 4.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Planned Parenthood for Choice v. Abbott: On March 25, 2020, a group of abortion providers filed suit against Gov. Greg Abbott (R) after he signed an executive order postponing all elective surgeries until April 21, which included abortions. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The plaintiffs in the case were represented by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the Lawyering Project.[13][14]

On April 9, Judge Earl Yeakel struck down portions of the executive order. His ruling allowed for abortions if the individual would be beyond the legal 22-week limit by April 21 and for medication abortions.[15] The ruling was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. On April 10, the Fifth Circuit issued a 2-1 ruling that overturned the lower court's decision on medication abortions but did allow abortions to continue if the individual would be beyond the legal 22-week limit by April 21.[13]

On April 11, Planned Parenthood appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, asking the court to overturn the ban on medication abortions. Prior to any action by the court, on April 13, the Fifth Circuit issued an unsigned opinion allowing medication abortions to proceed.[16]

Lang v. Texas Health and Human Services: On August 3, 2020, five Texas state lawmakers filed suit in Travis County District Court, asking the court to invalidate a $295 million-dollar COVID-19 contact tracing contract. At issue in the case was Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) use of emergency powers to procure and sign the contract outside normal procurement processes and without legislative approval. The plaintiff lawmakers were Texas State Reps. Mike Lang (R), Kyle Biedermann (R), Bill Zedler (R), Steve Toth (R) and Sen. Bob Hall (R). In their complaint, the lawmakers contended that Abbott’s emergency actions were incompatible with Texas law, arguing that the "request for proposal for the contract was inadequate, the contract bid process was a sham, and the contract impermissibly exceeds two years." The lawmakers argued that the Texas law "designed to ensure smooth operation during emergencies" could not be used as cover by the executive branch to expend “essentially unlimited funds toward a goal unidentified by the legislature." The legislators contended that the contract was awarded in violation of Texas Gov't Code § 2155.063, which requires "a purchase of or contract for goods or services shall, whenever possible, be accomplished through competitive bidding." Abbott responded to the suit, saying, "Every lawsuit that has been filed against me has either been won in court or dismissed … this lawsuit will meet that exact same fate."[17][18]

Renneberg v. Abbott: On September 8, 2020, two families filed suit against Governor Greg Abbott (R) in the Travis County District Court, challenging COVID-19 visitation restrictions for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The plaintiffs, who had been unable to visit their family members in care facilities at the time of filing, argued that Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) were violating their constitutional and statutory rights "by prohibiting essential family visitors, damaging the health of residents in these facilities, and costing precious time to the residents and their families." Citing the Texas Human Resources Code, which guarantees an elderly individual "a private place for receiving visitors," with limited exceptions, the plaintiffs contended that officials were "impeding this right and ... suspending this portion of the law without authority." The plaintiffs asked for the court to "issue a temporary and permanent injunction allowing for safe and limited family visits for essential family caregivers." As of September 16, 2020, Abbott's office had not commented, and HHSC had declined to comment on the pending lawsuit.[19][20]

Pizza Properties, Inc. v. El Paso County: On October 30, 2020, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) joined a lawsuit challenging El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego’s (D) order closing non-essential businesses and imposing a curfew. The lawsuit, filed in El Paso County’s 34th Judicial District Court by ten El Paso restaurants, claimed that Samaniego’s order illegally usurped the governor’s authority. In his motion to intervene, Paxton argued the state "has an intrinsic right to enact, interpret, and enforce its own laws," including "authority to sue to redress any violations of" public rights. Paxton further argued, "Judge Samaniego has no authority under [state law] to preempt or supersede" Governor Greg Abbott's (R) orders. In a statement to the press, Samaniego said, "We received a lawsuit, however until such time that a Court orders otherwise, my order still stands."[21][22]

Texas v. City of Austin: On January 1, 2021, the Texas Supreme Court halted Travis County and Austin restaurant restrictions. The restrictions, which took effect on New Year’s Eve, aimed to limit restaurants to take-out only over the holiday weekend. In its unsigned order, the court conditionally granted a request by Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), directing the Third Court of Appeals to block enforcement of the restrictions "pending final resolution of the appeal." The decision followed defeats at both the trial and appellate levels for Paxton, who initially challenged the restrictions on December 30, 2020, hoping to block their enforcement in time for New Year’s Eve. In his initial complaint in the Travis County District Court, Paxton argued that the local orders conflicted with Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) Executive Order GA-32, which both allowed restaurants and bars to operate at reduced capacity and prohibited "any conflicting order issued by local officials in response to the COVID-19 disaster." The trial court disagreed, and the Third Court of Appeals initially rejected Paxton’s appeal. Following the Texas Supreme Court’s ruling, Paxton thanked the court "for upholding the rule of law," saying that the court "was right to end these oppressive, illegal city and county declarations." Travis County Judge Andy Brown said he was disappointed by the decision "as it limits our ability to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community." The restrictions expired at 6:00 a.m. on January 3, 2021.[23][24][25][26]

Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: On February 25, 2021, a U.S. District Court ruled that the federal government's moratorium on evictions, implemented in response to the pandemic, was unconstitutional. The plaintiffs, a group of landlords and property managers, argued that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had (CDC) "clearly transgressed well established constitutional constraints" in issuing the moratorium order. In his decision, Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas held that the Constitution’s commerce clause, which allows for federal regulation of interstate commerce, including any economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce, did not permit federal regulation of evictions. Barker found that the specific activity regulated by the moratorium—evictions—was not "economic in material respect." Baker said, "The federal government has not claimed such a power at any point during our nation's history until last year. … Although the COVID-19 pandemic persists, so does the Constitution." In response to the ruling, Brian M. Boynton, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Division, issued a statement stressing that the ruling "does not extend beyond the particular plaintiffs in that case," and that "the CDC’s eviction moratorium remains in effect." On February 27, 2021, the federal government filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.[27][28][29][30][31]

Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital: On June 12, 2021, Judge Lynn Hughes, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, dismissed a lawsuit over Houston Methodist Hospital's requirement that most employees (i.e., those without a religious or medical exemption) be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by June 7, 2021. Employees who failed to meet this requirement were suspended without pay and given 14 days to be fully vaccinated or face termination. The plaintiffs – 117 hospital employees – alleged that the vaccine mandate violated federal drug laws by "forcing [the hospital system's] employees to be human 'guinea pigs' as a condition for continued employment." The plaintiffs argued that the pending terminations constituted wrongful discharge. Hughes, a Ronald Reagan (R) appointee, disagreed, ruling that the plaintiffs "can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine." Hughes added that, if plaintiffs refused to be vaccinated, they would "simply need to work somewhere else." Hughes also ruled that the plaintiffs' federal and state law arguments "misrepresented the facts" and "fail as a matter of law." In response to Hughes' ruling, hospital president and CEO Marc Boom said, "We can now put this behind us and continue our focus on unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation." Jennifer Bridges, the lead plaintiff in the case, said, "We are appealing. This will be taken all the way to the Supreme Court. This is far from over. This is literally only the beginning."[32][33][34][35]

City of San Antonio v. Abbott; Jenkins v. Abbott: On August 15, 2021, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily affirmed the validity of Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) executive order prohibiting local mask mandates across the state. Both Bexar and Dallas counties issued local mask mandates in contravention of Abbot's Executive Order GA-38, which prohibited schools and local governments from requiring masks. Earlier, two state-level trial courts, from the 45th and 116th Judicial District Courts, found that Dallas and Bexar Counties would be irreparably harmed if unable to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through mask mandates. As a result, the district courts issued temporary restraining orders against the enforcement of Executive Order GA-38. Those restraining orders were left in place by the Fourth and Fifth Courts of Appeals. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) then took the matter to the Texas Supreme Court, asking it to order the trial courts to overturn their decisions. Although the state supreme court did not immediately issue a written opinion ruling on the ultimate merits of Abbott's and Paxton's arguments, the stays temporarily overturned the restraining orders won by Dallas and Bexar counties in the lower courts, and therefore limited their ability to proceed with mask mandates.[36][37]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Eric Johnson (Texas) Mayor of Dallas October 26, 2021 Johnson announced on October 26, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[38]
Gary VanDeaver Texas House of Representatives District 1 October 13, 2020 VanDeaver announced he had tested positive for coronaviurs.[39]
Betsy Price Mayor of Fort Worth November 19, 2020 Price announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19.[40]
John Raney Texas House of Representatives District 14 May 6, 2021 Raney announced he tested positive for COVID-19.[41]
Debra Lehrmann Texas Supreme Court Place 3 May 21, 2020 Lehrmann announced that she and her husband tested positive for COVID-19.[42]
Letitia Plummer Houston City Council At-large Position 4 May 11, 2020 Plummer announced she tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-quarantining at home while recovering.[43]
Ted Cruz U.S. Senator, Texas March 9, 2020 Cruz announced on March 9, 2020, that he would self-quarantine following his potential exposure to the coronavirus. He announced the end of his self-quarantine on March 17.[44][45]
Rebecca J. Viagran San Antonio City Council District 3 March 19, 2020 Viagran announced she was entering self-quarantine after attending a conference in Washington D.C., where two attendees tested positive for coronavirus.[46]
Cary Moon (Texas) Fort Worth City Council District 4 June 25, 2020 Moon announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.[47]
Tony Tinderholt Texas House of Representatives District 94 July 31, 2020 Tinderholt announced he tested positive for and was hospitalized because of coronavirus.[48]
Louie Gohmert U.S. House Texas District 1 July 28, 2020 Gohmert tested positive for coronavirus during a pre-screen at the White House. He had been scheduled to fly with President Trump (R) to Texas that day.[49]
Wesley Hunt (Texas Congress) Candidate, U.S. House Texas District 7 July 28, 2020 Hunt announced that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was not experiencing any symptoms when he received his diagnosis.[50]
Renee Swann Candidate, Texas' 17th Congressional District July 2, 2020 On July 2, 2020, Swann announced she and her husband had tested positive for coronavirus.[51]
Michael McCaul U.S. House Texas District 10 January 7, 2022 McCaul announced on January 7, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[52]
Kevin Brady (Texas) U.S. House Texas District 8 January 6, 2021 Brady announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[53]
Kay Granger U.S. House Texas District 12 January 4, 2021 Granger announced she had tested positive for coronavirus.[54]
Dan Patrick Lieutenant Governor of Texas January 3, 2022 Patrick announced on January 3, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[55]
Carl Sherman Sr. (Texas House of Representatives) Texas House of Representatives District 109 January 22, 2021 Sherman announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[56]
Ruby Faye Woolridge Arlington City Council District 6 January 15, 2021 Woolridge announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[57]
Joe Deshotel Texas House of Representatives District 22 January 14, 2021 Deshotel announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[58]
Ronald Wright U.S. House Texas District 6 February 7, 2021 Wright died from complications related to COVID-19.[59]
Clayton Perry San Antonio City Council District 10 February 2, 2021 Perry announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[60]
Lillian Blancas El Paso Municipal Court December 7, 2020 Blancas died from complications caused by COVID-19.[61]
Dennis Bonnen Texas House of Representatives District 25 December 27, 2020 Bonnen announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[62]
Sylvester Turner Mayor of Houston, Texas December 17, 2021 Turner announced on December 17, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[63]
Ruben Reyes (Texas judge, District 72) Texas 72nd District Court December 12, 2020 Reyes died from complications related to COVID-19.[64]
Troy Nehls U.S. House Texas District 22 August 18, 2021 Nehls announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated at the time of his positive test.[65]
Greg Abbott Governor of Texas August 17, 2021 Abbott announced he tested positive for COVID-19.[66]
Kel Seliger Texas State Senate District 31 August 12, 2020 Seliger announced on Twitter that he tested positive for coronavirus.[67]

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Texas to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Texas were closed to in-person instruction on March 20, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Texas .[68][69]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Texas .[70][71]
  • July 17, 2020: The Texas Education Agency extended the time local school districts could keep schools closed and teach students remotely without losing funding. According to the new rules, districts could teach students remotely for up to eight weeks from the start of the school year, so long as the local school board votes on the matter after four weeks.[72]
  • July 14, 2020: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said that schools would be permitted to delay returning students to physical classrooms for longer than originally planned. Previously, state guidance said schools should offer three weeks of virtual instruction to start the year but could lose state funding if they did not return to in-person instruction after that period. Abbot said he would provide more information soon.[73]
  • July 7, 2020: Education Commissioner Mike Morath released guidance for reopening schools in the fall. Parents would be able to choose between on-campus and distance learning options. Masks would also be required in school buildings.[74]
  • June 18, 2020: Morath said that the state's schools would open to students in the fall.[75]


  • April 17, 2020: Abbott closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 4.[76]
  • March 31, 2020: Abbott announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 3, was extended through May 4.[77]
  • March 19, 2020: Abbott closed all schools in the state from March 20 until April 3.[78]

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.


Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TX329
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TX323
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TX315
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TX311
  6. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott lifts coronavirus restrictions for travelers from New York, Georgia and other hot spots," May 21, 2020
  7. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott lifts coronavirus restrictions for travelers from New York, Georgia and other hot spots," May 21, 2020
  8. ↑ KCBD, "Abbott lifts self-quarantine for Texas-Louisiana travelers," April 28, 2020
  9. ↑ Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Mandates 14-Day Quarantine For Road Travelers Arriving In Texas From Any Location In Louisiana," March 30, 2020
  10. ↑ Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Mandating 14-Day Quarantine For Travelers Arriving From CA, LA, WA, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Miami," March 30, 2020
  11. ↑ Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Mandating 14-Day Quarantine For Travelers Arriving From New York Tri-State Area, New Orleans," March 26, 2020
  12. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texans in most counties to wear masks in public," July 2, 2020
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 NBCNews, "Appeals court lifts part of order blocking Texas abortion ban," April 10, 2020
  14. ↑ Planned Parenthood, "Texas Abortion Providers File Emergency Lawsuit to Keep Essential Abortion Procedures Available During Pandemic," March 25, 2020
  15. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Some abortions may proceed in Texas during the coronavirus pandemic, federal judge rules," April 9, 2020
  16. ↑ SCOTUSblog, "Texas abortion dispute reaches Supreme Court (Updated)," April 11, 2020
  17. ↑ Travis County District Court, "Lang v. Texas Health and Human Services: Original Complaint," August 3, 2020
  18. ↑ Reform Austin, "Abbott Brushes Aside Latest Lawsuit From His GOP Colleagues," August 6, 2020
  19. ↑ Travis County District Court, "Renneberg v. Abbott: Plaintiffs' Original Petition and Application for Equitable Relief," September 8, 2020
  20. ↑ KXAN, "Families sue Gov. Abbott, claim Texas is ‘violating constitutional rights’ of nursing home residents," September 11, 2020
  21. ↑ El Paso County’s 34th Judicial District Court, "Pizza Properties, Inc. v. El Paso County: State of Texas' Plea in Intervention," October 30, 2020
  22. ↑ El Paso Herald-Post, "County Judge: Covid-19 Stay at Home Order 'valid, legal, and enforceable,'" October 30, 2020
  23. ↑ Supreme Court of Texas, "In re: State of Texas; 3rd Court of Appeals District (03-20-00619-CV)," January 1, 2021
  24. ↑ Texas Attorney General, "AG Pax­ton: Texas Supreme Court Ends Unlaw­ful City of Austin and Travis Coun­ty Shut­down Orders," January 1, 2021
  25. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Austin won’t be allowed to restrict dining-in at restaurants, Texas Supreme Court says," January 1, 2021
  26. ↑ Governor of Texas, "Executive Order GA-32," October 7, 2020
  27. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, "Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief," October 22, 2020
  28. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, "Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Opinion and order," February 25, 2021
  29. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, "Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Notice of Appeal," February 27, 2021
  30. ↑ United States Department of Justice, "Department of Justice Issues Statement Announcing Decision to Appeal Terkel v. CDC," February 27, 2021
  31. ↑ Federal Register, "Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19," September 4, 2020
  32. ↑ United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, "Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital: Order on Dismissal," June 12, 2021
  33. ↑ [ https://secureservercdn.net/50.62.198.70/7e8.6e3.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Methodist-Lawsuit1.pdf United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, "Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital: Plaintiffs' Original Petition," accessed June 14, 2021]
  34. ↑ ABC 13, "Judge dismisses suit against Houston Methodist Hospital over vaccine requirement," June 13, 2021
  35. ↑ KHOU 11, "Former Houston Methodist nurse says lawsuit over mandatory COVID vaccine is 'far from over,'" June 13, 2021
  36. ↑ Texas Judicial Branch, "The Supreme Court of Texas: Orders Pronounced August 15, 2021," August 15, 2021
  37. ↑ Office of the Governor of Texas, "Executive Order GA-38," July 29, 2021
  38. ↑ WFAA, "Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tests positive for COVID-19," October 26, 2021
  39. ↑ ArkLaTex, "E. Texas state representative postpones events after testing positive for COVID-19," October 13, 2020
  40. ↑ Spectrum News 1, "Fort Worth Mayor Tests Positive for COVID-19," November 19, 2020
  41. ↑ Texas Tribune, "State Rep. John Raney tests positive for coronavirus after being inside Capitol this week," May 6, 2021
  42. ↑ NBC DFW, "Texas Supreme Court Justice Tests Positive for COVID-19," May 21, 2020
  43. ↑ ABC 13, "Houston city council to be tested for COVID-19 after councilwoman tests positive," May 12, 2020
  44. ↑ The Hill, "Ted Cruz extends self-quarantine after second coronavirus interaction," March 13, 2020
  45. ↑ Dallas Morning News, "Ted Cruz ends self-quarantine, emerges to an altered world," March 17, 2020
  46. ↑ KTSA,"Second San Antonio city council member under quarantine," March 19, 2020
  47. ↑ CBS DFW, "Fort Worth City Council Member Cary Moon Tests Positive For Coronavirus," June 25, 2020
  48. ↑ Texas Tribune, ""I truly thought last Friday was gonna be my last," says Texas lawmaker who was hospitalized for coronavirus," July 31, 2020
  49. ↑ Politico, "Louie Gohmert, who refused to wear a mask, tests positive for coronavirus," July 29, 2020
  50. ↑ Houston Chronicle, "Two Texas Republicans test positive for COVID en route to join Trump," July 29, 2020
  51. ↑ The Eagle, "House candidate Renee Swann, husband test positive for COVID-19," July 2, 2020
  52. ↑ The Hill, "McCaul tests positive for COVID-19 in latest congressional breakthrough," January 7, 2022
  53. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas Congressman Kevin Brady says he’s tested positive for COVID-19," January 6, 2020
  54. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger tests positive for coronavirus," January 4, 2021
  55. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tested positive last week for COVID-19 but didn’t tell Texas right away," January 3, 2022
  56. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas state Rep. Carl Sherman says he’s tested positive for COVID-19," January 22, 2021
  57. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "New Arlington council member Ruby Faye Woolridge tests positive for COVID-19," January 15, 2021
  58. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Texas House member tests positive for coronavirus during first week of legislative session, forcing other state lawmakers into quarantine," January 15, 2021
  59. ↑ The Hill, "Rep. Ron Wright dies after contracting COVID-19," February 8, 2021
  60. ↑ KSAT, "San Antonio City Councilman Clayton Perry tests positive for COVID-19," February 2, 2021
  61. ↑ El Paso Times, "Lillian Blancas, election runoff candidate for El Paso municipal court, dies from COVID-19," December 7, 2020
  62. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen tests positive for coronavirus," December 27, 2020
  63. ↑ Houston Chronicle, "Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says he has COVID-19, plans to isolate," December 17, 2021
  64. ↑ KCBD, "Lubbock mourning loss of State District Judge Ruben G. Reyes," December 13, 2020
  65. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Houston-area U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls tests positive for COVID-19," August 22, 2021
  66. ↑ DFW CBS Local, "Texas Governor Greg Abbott Tests Positive For COVID-19 Despite Receiving Vaccination," August 17, 2021
  67. ↑ KFDA, "State Senator Kel Seliger tests positive for COVID-19," August 12, 2020
  68. ↑ Burbio rated Texas' in-person index at 92. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  69. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  70. ↑ Burbio rated Texas' in-person index between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  71. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  72. ↑ Austin Statesman, "Texas gives school districts more leeway in reopening schools amid pandemic," July 17, 2020
  73. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas will extend time that schools will be allowed to stay online-only, Gov. Greg Abbott says," July 14, 2020
  74. ↑ CBS DFW, "Texas Education Agency Issues Guidelines For Reopening Schools During Coronavirus Pandemic," July 7, 2020
  75. ↑ Delaware Public Radio, "Back To School For Real? Texas Officials Say Yes," June 18, 2020
  76. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott keeps Texas classrooms closed for remainder of school year," April 17, 2020
  77. ↑ KWTX, "Texas governor orders schools to remain closed until May 4," March 31, 2020
  78. ↑ Twitter, "Patrick Svitek on March 19, 2020," accessed March 19, 2020
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