Watch Gov. Greg Abbott's press conference on Texas coronavirus updates
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and state officials have concluded a news conference where they provided coronavirus updates.
Among the governor's announcements: Hair salons can reopen Friday, and gyms will be allowed to open May 18. The businesses will be required to follow certain rules, however, as the state continues to grapple with the coronavirus.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath also announced that that he's laying out guidelines to allow schools to hold socially distant graduation ceremonies.
Abbott also said “surge response teams” made up of health officials, emergency response workers and the National Guard would deal with virus "flare-ups," including those connected to meatpacking plants, by helping facilitate testing, ensuring sanitation at such facilities and assessing the transportation used by plants to shuttle their workers.
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Last week, Abbott rolled out the first phase of the state's reopening plan, allowing some businesses — like retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls — to reopen with limited occupancy. The governor said then that more openings — including looser restrictions for businesses like barbershops, hair salons, bars and gyms — could go into effect as early as May 18. As the governor weighs options, he has zeroed in on two figures to help him make decisions: the state's infection and hospitalization rates.
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