Still lots of restrictions

Yes, many businesses, restaurants and churches got the go-ahead to re-open Friday by Gov. Greg Abbott.

No, it won’t be, in the words of the old song, “the way we were.”

Abbott, in a sweeping announcement Monday laid out plans for re-opening segments of the state but noted re-openings are not mandatory and remain up to the discretion of owners, administrators and clergy.

The governor said libraries may re-open and that’s what’s going to happen Friday in Rockdale as the Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library will again be open, at 25 percent of capacity, to the public.

It has been closed since the initial COVID-19 restrictions were imposed. Library employees were offering curb service to patrons.

Patrons must continue to maintain six-foot distancing and are urged to wear masks or cloth coverings.

Here are some details of the re-opening which most affect the area’s general population.

All of these are termed minimum requirements:

RESTAURANTS

• Must maintain no more than a 25-percent capacity at any one time. (It’s 50 percent in counties with five or fewer lab-confirmed cases of positive COVID-19 cases but Milam County is well over that limit.)

• Six-foot distance between restaurant patrons unless they are members of the same household.

• No more than six person at any table.

• Hand sanitizer must be available.

• Condiments only available upon request.

• Disposable menus (new) for each patron.

• If a buffet is offered restaurant employees must serve the food to the customer.

• Owners are asked to “consider” having all employees wearing face masks or coverings.

• When not at the table, customers should consider wearing face masks or coverings. • Customers should wash

• Customers should wash or sanitize their hands after the payment process.

• Extensive cleaning and disinfectant protocols for restaurant owners are also in the order.

CHURCHES

• Strongly urged to provide on-line services for those “at risk” (65 and over or with existing medical conditions) or to provide a separate service for at-risk persons or an area during the service for at-risk worshipers.

• At least two empty seats, of six-foot separation, between worshipers, except for members of the same household. Two or more members of the same household can sit adjacent to one another, with two seats (or six feet separation) empty on either side.

• Alternate rows between attendees (every other row left empty).

• Extensive guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting places of worship.

OUTDOOR SPORTS

• No more than four participants may play the sport at any one time.

• Public swimming pools to remain closed.

• For golf courses: Clean and sanitize golf carts and push carts between uses; except for members of the same household, no more than one individual per golf cart; clean and disinfect driving range golf balls between uses; ensure separation of at least six feet between golfers on the driving range.

RETAIL BUSINESSES

• “Non-essential’ retail businesses may open Friday up to 25-percent of capacity.

• Screen employees before coming into businesses and send home (at any time) any employee who displays any of the following symptoms:

Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees, known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.

• Retailers are encouraged to consider dedicating a certain period of time each day for only at-risk customers, or deliver purchased goods to vehicles to reduce the need for at-risk customers to enter the store.

• Contactless payment is encouraged. Where not available, contact should be minimized.

• Employees must wash/sanitize hands upon entering the business.

• Employees maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals. If such distancing is not feasible, other measures such as face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.

• Employees and customers should consider having all employees wear face masks or face coverings.

• Customers should maintain at least six feet separation from other individuals not within the same household. If such distancing is not feasible, other measures such as face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.

• Wash or sanitize hands after the payment process.

Complete guidelines are in a 64-page book “The Governor’s Report to Open Texas” which can be viewed at https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Rep....