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Hopkins County Declaration Does Not Overrule Statewide Executive Order. Salons and Gyms Not Allowed To Reopen Despite Reports.

Hopkins County Declaration Does Not Overrule Statewide Executive Order. Salons and Gyms Not Allowed To Reopen Despite Reports.
  • PublishedApril 28, 2020


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Salons and gyms are not cleared for reopening in Hopkins County despite news reports to the contrary. The Declaration of a Local Disaster Public Health Emergency issued by Hopkins County this morning is superseded by the Executive Order announced by Governor Greg Abbott yesterday.

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Abbott’s Executive Order declares, “This executive order shall supersede any conflicting order issued by local officials in response to the COVID-19 disaster, but only to the extent that such a local order restricts essential services or reopened services allowed by this executive order, allows gatherings prohibited by this executive order, or expands the list of essential services or the list or scope of reopened services as set forth in this executive order.”

The key point here being, “expands the list of essential services or the list or scope of reopened services as set forth in this executive order.”

Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved the following today as a part of the Declaration of a Local Disaster Public Health Emergency:

  1. i) The Court adopts all measures of the April 27, 2020 Executive Order of Governor Greg Abbott, GA-18 as attached hereto. Also see Texans Helping Texans at gov.texas.gov
  2. ii) In addition, locked businesses of less than 10 employees may operate under the following guidelines:
  3. The doors to the business must remain locked to the public at all times and may be opened by key or by appointment only.
  4. All individuals inside the business must remain at least 6 feet distance from all other individuals.
  5. If it is necessary for the business operator to be closer than 6 feet to the client, the operator must wear a protective mask.
  6. All equipment used by the business operator or client must be sanitized between uses. All business operators must exercise proper hand sanitizing at all times.

Any opening of gyms or salons or other closed businesses are not affected by the county’s order above. Furthermore, no specific business categories are listed in the order. It only refers to “locked businesses.” You can read the full order at the bottom of this story.

The Governor’s order clearly states, “People shall avoid visiting bars, gyms, public swimming pools, interactive amusement venues such as bowling alleys and video arcades, massage establishments, tattoo studios, piercing studios, or cosmetology salons.”

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While Hopkins County may not enforce the governor’s order on a local level, salons or massage therapists or other state licensed professionals under closure orders could face discipline from the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Registration said in a statement after today’s order from Hopkins County, “Under Executive Order GA-18 (https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-18_expanded_reopening_of_services_COVID-19.pdf) issued by Gov. Greg Abbott on April 27, all cosmetology salons (including nail salons, estheticians, and mini-salons), laser hair removal, barber shops and massage establishments shall continue to remain closed. Executive Order GA-18 overrides all local and county orders. Whether a salon or shop is a sole proprietorship or not, they are to remain closed until Executive Order GA-18 is amended or rescinded.”

Hopkins County Commissioners Court also made their order opening businesses effective at noon today but that is also superseded by the governor’s previous Stay at Home Order. That order expires at midnight on May 1st.

Phase One reopenings under the governor’s newest Executive Order may begin on Friday with 50% occupancy in Hopkins County.

 


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