Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Hair salons, barbers, weddings, and swimming pools are among the latest services being added to a growing list of facilities that are being allowed to re-open beginning Friday under new orders signed by Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez.
As the number of new COVID-19 cases in Hidalgo County continues a slow descent, Judge Cortez signed the new orders late Thursday that went into effect at midnight. The growing list of reopened services align with those services that Texas Governor Greg Abbott is also allowing to reopen in an effort to jump start the state’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As I said before, I agree with Governor Abbott’s decision-making which is based in data and medical advice,” Judge Cortez said. “This is the latest manifestation of that decision-making, particularly in Hidalgo County where infection numbers and recovery rates have been encouraging.”
In what is called the AMENDED EMERGENCY ORDER RELATED TO THE EXPANDED REOPENING OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, Judge Cortez has ordered, beginning Friday, May 8:
- The opening of cosmetology salons that operate at no more than a 25 percent capacity.
- The opening of hair salons and barbershops at no more than 25 percent capacity.
- The opening of nail salons/shops that operate at 25 percent capacity.
- The opening of swimming pools that operate at 25 percent capacity.
- The allowance of weddings and wedding reception services and venues that operate at 25 percent capacity.
Beginning Monday, May 18:
- The opening of gyms and exercise facilities that operate at 25 percent capacity.
- The opening of manufacturing services for facilities that operate at 25 percent capacity.
- The opening of service providers by office workers in offices that operate at 25 percent capacity.
All shops and establishments must ensure at least six feet of physical distancing between workstations.
“As we ease into the reopening of businesses, I want to remain cautious and use certain restrictions that will continue to slow the spread of this virus,” Cortez said. “My priority is the safety of all residents while gaining prosperity as we slowly begin to rebuild what this pandemic has fleetingly crippled.”
Judge Cortez highly encourages the use of facial coverings inside public facilities and continues to promote Shelter-At-Place, good hygiene, and physical distancing.
“We know what works; let’s continue doing that, as we pace ourselves into economic vitality,” said Cortez.
Read the AMENDED EMERGENCY ORDER RELATED TO THE EXPANDED REOPENING OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY below:
