Gov. Abbott Extends Texas Emergency Declaration

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared he was extending the declaration to provide emergency to stop the spread of coronavirus on Sunday. 

The declaration was initially put into place on March 13 but it was to expire in 30 days. The new proclamation will extend the declaration for another 30 days. 

“By extending my Disaster Declaration, we are ensuring the state of Texas continues to have adequate resources and capabilities to support our communities and protect public health,” Abbott said in a statement.

This does not mean his executive stay-at-home order has been extended. That order is still in place until April 30.

With the declaration, Texas state and local governments will have the authority to use all available resources needed to cope with the pandemic. 

According to a Houston KHOU article, the available resources include the State Operations Center and items from the Strategic National Stockpile, which provides state and local medical supplies during health emergencies.

The proclamation also allows Abbott to suspend state agency orders or rules that “prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster.”

To slow the spread of coronavirus, Abbott urges Texans to practice safe social distancing and follow CDC and executive order guidelines.