REOPENING

GALVESTON, Texas – The booze was flowing once again at bars across Galveston County. Wednesday was the bar’s first day to reopen after the governor recently gave bars the go-ahead. With the final approval from the county judges, bars can reopen at 50% capacity but must practice social distancing guidelines. Now that bars are once again allowed to open their doors both customers and the bars themselves are optimistic about the future. ”Literally everybody was just waiting to have places to go and hang out again you know while also safely practicing social distancing," said Balusek.

GALVESTON COUNTY – Galveston County Judge Mark Henry celebrated Wednesday the reopening of bars with locals. He hosted a happy hour at Buccaneer Bar at Railean Rum Distillery in San Leon. Kelly Railean, the owner of Railean Distillery and Buccaneer Bar, said the past seven months have been tough because of COVID-19. All bars in Galveston, Montgomery, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties will reopen. While Harris County is the only local county not allowing bars to reopen.

GALVESTON, Texas – Galveston County Judge Mark Henry will celebrate the reopening of bars with residents by hosting a happy hour at Buccaneer Bar at Railean Rum Distillery in San Leon on Oct. 14. READ: County judges outline their plans for reopening bars after Abbott’s new orderOnce Judge Henry reviewed the governor’s announcement, he said he would allow bars to reopen earlier than Oct. 14. “I want to let small business owners know that I’ll be reopening bars immediately,” Henry wrote on Twitter Wednesday. He indicated on Thursday that Galveston County law enforcement would not intervene if bars decided to open even earlier. Judge Henry said that not only bar and nightclub owners were suffering during the closure period but so were service organizations.

Now states are hitting pause on reopening. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on CNN over the weekend that the window to control the virus is closing. The 117-bed hospital Marquez visited in Houston will soon be full. Marquez talked to a doctor who says he's been working for 100 days straight. And once inside, everyone is so wrapped in PPE, they're unrecognizable and they wear large photos of themselves around their necks.

AMC Theatres — the world's largest movie theater owner — announced Thursday that it is set to reopen its more than 600 US theaters next month with new safety and health measures to help curb the spread of coronavirus. The chain, which closed its locations earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, said it will be implementing a health and sanitation program it calls "AMC Safe & Clean." Aron added that AMC was advised by the Clorox company and current and former faculty of Harvard University's School of Public Health while developing the measures. And in areas of the country where masks are not compulsory, AMC says it will "strongly" encourage guests to wear them. The movie theater industry has been ravaged by coronavirus.

Almost all gyms said they’ll have equipment spaced out or every other machine powered off so they cannot be used in close distance to other members. We got information from a few local gyms about what members should expect and have the state’s criteria to open. State protocolThe state requires gyms to cap attendance at 25% capacity just like other businesses that are currently open. Also, members used to scan their fingerprint to check-in with the front desk. They’ll release which Houston locations will open on Monday but don’t plan to go there just yet.

Published: May 7, 2020, 6:20 am Updated: May 7, 2020, 7:02 amA lot of day cares closed when schools did or some temporarily downsized. Now, as businesses reopen and parents return to work, the Centers for Disease Control and the state government have issued guidelines for child care centers. The CDC says:Classes should include the same group of kids each day, with the same providers. Cancel or postpone special events such as festivals, holiday events, and special performances. Many day cares plan to have children dropped off at the front door to limit how many people come into the facility.

HOUSTON – Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that after his original executive order to begin phase one of reopening the state last week prevented barbershops and nail salons from reopening, he has since amended the rules. FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. “Tanning salons may also reopen under the same limitation.”Abbott said the amendment came after he got feedback from business owners who explained plans to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Reopening these businesses has been a hot button issue with protesters around the country demanding they be reopened after nearly two months of closures.

HOUSTON – In compliance with Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to re-open Texas, Galveston beaches will soon be open to beachgoers. According to Chief Peter Davis with the Galveston Island Beach Patrol, he has instructed his lifeguards to switch gears. “Technically, we’re still in the prohibited time, but the city is transitioning.” Chief Davis said. “I’m going to try to bury myself in the sand,” Payes said. It’s just better to wait.”Since Galveston Beach closed, Chief Davis said beach patrol has been averaging about 200 calls a day for people being out on the beach, when they shouldn’t.

HOUSTON – Restaurants are preparing for the biggest opening day since dine-in was shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. Abbott announced Monday that restaurants can reopen dine-in areas as long as health and safety protocols are met and keep a 25% capacity limit inside. Many restaurants have announced that they will be opening their dining rooms with social distancing protocols in place. Houston Culture Map has built a long list of restaurants that are opening dine in. Know of other restaurants opening tomorrow that are not on this list, share in the comments.

Jared Polis extended the state's stay-at-home order, which now remains in effect until April 26. Looking to revive the state's economy, Lamont announced Thursday the formation of the "Reopen Connecticut Advisory Board." John Bel Edwards extended the state's stay-at-home order through April 30. Gina Raimondo issued an emergency declaration extending the state's stay-at-home order to last until May 8. Tony Evers has extended his state's stay-at-home order to expire May 26, according to a statement from the governor's office.