(TMC Report and UPDATE | April 28, 2020, 7:30 p.m.:) Houston and Harris County officials have crafted a response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen parts of the Texas economy on Friday aimed at avoiding a local increase in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed concern about backsliding on the progress of containing the virus amid local orders that have kept people at home, working safe, at physical distance and, this week, guided to wear facial coverings in public. Both executives warned of potentially perilous circumstances with more movement in the community as the virus continues to circulate.
At a Tuesday morning news conference, Hidalgo announced a three-point “test, trace, treat” plan to contain the spread of COVID-19 as parts of the Texas economy—retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls—can reopen with restrictions on May 1.