Some San Marcos businesses to reopen starting May 1

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Some San Marcos businesses will be reopening this week in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott's recent executive order outlining plans for reopening the Texas economy while mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

Starting May 1, restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters and malls will be allowed to reopen with 25 percent capacity. Museums, libraries and single-person offices can also reopen.

RELATED: State stay-at-home order will expire on April 30, first phase of businesses reopening May 1

Licensed healthcare professionals can also return to work under the rules of their respective licensing agencies and licensed hospitals must reserve 15 percent of their capacity for treating those with COVID-19.

“As a community, this is our opportunity to reopen our economy with everyone’s safety in mind,” said San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson. “We strongly recommend that residents and business owners incorporate masks or face coverings, practice safe distancing measures, initiate sanitation protocols, and continue responsible social practices so we can eventually open all businesses.”

RELATED: Hays County offers free testing for uninsured, underinsured, indigent patients

Any business needing to determine its occupancy limit may contact the San Marcos Fire Department Prevention Division at 512-805-2600 or by email and the city says an inspector will respond to your location and calculate the allowed occupancy.

In accordance with the governor's order issue Monday, outdoor sports classified as “no-contact,” including tennis and golf, will be allowed as long as they are limited to groups of four.

The city says salons, barbershops, spas, gyms, bars, interactive amusement venues like bowling alleys and video arcades, tattoo and piercing studios, and massage establishments must remain closed for now. Interactive areas with hands-on activities, including child play areas, should also remain closed. 

RELATED: San Marcos parks to remain closed until further notice

All currently closed City facilities, including the public library, parks and playscapes, will remain closed at this time and opening will be evaluated in coordination with the results of additional state testing and the Governor’s actions to move to Phase 2. The state plans to expand testing to 25,000 tests administered per day in early May. If data shows the virus is being appropriately contained, Phase 2 could begin as early as May 18.

RELATED: Hays County releases procedure for COVID-19 contact tracing

The city says a helpful FAQ related to the new Order is posted on the city's COVID-19 website.

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