Texas Executive Orders & Public Health Disaster Declarations

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See below for information on the Executive Orders and Public Health Disaster Declarations issued by Governor Greg Abbott and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt in response to COVID‑19. See also the Coronavirus Executive Orders and Waivers page on the Governor’s website.
Executive Orders Public Health Disaster Declarations

Executive Orders

On July 29, 2021, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-38, relating to COVID-19 vaccines, hospital capacity and reporting, occupancy limits, and mask guidelines.
On March 2, 2021, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34, relating to opening Texas 100% and the removal of the statewide mask mandate.
On October 8, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-32, relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens.
On September 17, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued the following:

Executive Order GA-31, relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster; and
Executive Order GA-30, relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas reopens.

On July 9, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued a Proclamation suspending elective surgeries and procedures in hospitals in all counties located within 11 Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) in Texas. This proclamation amends the Governor’s previous Executive Order that included Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, Webb, Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties. For a full listing of all the affected counties, please view the new Proclamation.
On July 2, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an updated Executive Order GA-28 regarding additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
On July 2, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-29, requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions.
On June 30, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued a proclamation suspending elective surgeries and procedures at hospitals in Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, and Webb counties to help ensure hospital bed availability for COVID-19 patients in these communities. This proclamation amends the Governor’s previous Executive Order to include these four counties in addition to Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties.
On June 26, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-28, limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
On June 25, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-27, suspending elective surgeries and procedures at hospitals in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties.
On June 23, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an updated Executive Order GA-26 to expand the ability of mayors and county judges to impose restrictions on certain outdoor gatherings of over 100 people.
On June 3, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-26 to coincide with the third phase of the ongoing plan to expand openings of certain businesses and activities in Texas. All newly opened businesses and services are subject to the recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by DSHS.
On May 26, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an updated Executive Order GA-23 to announce additional services and activities that can open under phase II.
On May 21, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-24 to terminate air travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 18, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-23 to coincide with the second phase of the ongoing plan to expand openings of certain businesses and activities in Texas. All newly opened businesses and services are subject to the recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by DSHS.
On May 5, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-21 to expand openings of certain businesses and activities in Texas. All newly opened businesses and services are subject to the recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by DSHS.
On April 27, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued several Executive Orders to coincide with the first phase of the State of Texas's ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19:

GA-20: Relating to expanding travel without restrictions as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
GA-19: Relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster.
GA-18: Relating to the expanded reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.

On April 17, 2020, Gov. Abbott signed an Executive Order authorizing the re-opening of retail businesses effective April 24. Review the updated Retailer-To-Go guidance.
On April 17, 2020, Gov. Abbott signed an Executive Order authorizing licensed healthcare facilities to resume elective surgeries and procedures beginning April 22 if they meet certain requirements. For more information, see the Information for Hospitals & Healthcare Professionals page of this site and/or the HHSC Health Facility Licensing Guidance Letter.
On March 31, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols for the entire state of Texas. The protocols renew the Governor's directive to avoid eating or drinking inside bars, restaurants, and food courts, although use of drive-thru, pickup, and delivery is highly encouraged. The order prohibits visiting gyms or massage establishments, and expands to include tattoo studios, piercing studios, and cosmetology salons. It also extends social distancing measures to April 30, 2020, and schools will remain closed to in-person classroom attendance through May 4, 2020.
On March 30 and March 26, Gov. Abbott issued several self-quarantine edicts for travelers returning from certain locations within the United States. For complete details on which returning travelers are subject to these self-quarantine orders, see the Information for Travelers page. Review instructions for self-quarantined travelers on the CDC COVID‑19 Traveler Information Card.
On March 24, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an Executive Order relating to daily reporting during the COVID‑19 disaster. See the COVID‑19 Texas Hospital Reporting Requirements on the Information for Hospitals & Healthcare Professionals page for more information.
On March 24, 2020, Gov. Abbott ordered every public or private entity that is utilizing an FDA-approved test, including an emergency use authorization test, for human diagnostic purposes of COVID- 19, shall submit to DSHS, as well as to the local health department, daily reports of all test results, both positive and negative. See the Guidance on Reporting Positive and Negative COVID-19 Test Results to DSHS for more information.

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Public Health Disaster Declarations

Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of DSHS, issued public health disaster declarations in Texas on the following dates, because COVID‑19 “continues to present an immediate threat, poses a high risk of death to a large number of people, and creates a substantial risk of public exposure because of the disease’s method of transmission and evidence that there is community spread in Texas.”

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This page is being updated as new information becomes available.