Abbott Alerts are your latest update on all things Texas politics!



April 1st, 2020

"The Abbott Alerts newsletter allows you to stay up to date on the latest news, and I'll let you know what we are doing to keep Texas the most exceptional state in America."

CORONAVIRUS EDITION

The State of Texas is taking a comprehensive and aggressive approach to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19 .

Thank you to all the nurses, doctors, and medical professionals who are working on the front lines in the fight against this virus.

Thank you also to all my fellow Texans for your efforts to slow the spread. By staying at home and reducing personal interactions, you are protecting public health and saving lives.

On March 13th I announced a State of Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties. Since that time, Texas has continued to take swift action to increase testing, expand our healthcare capabilities, slow the spread of this virus, and flatten the curve..



STATEWIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES PROTOCOL

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One of the most powerful tools we have to combat COVID-19 is social distancing.

On March 19th, I issued an Executive Order to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for social distancing. This action included closing Texas schools, limiting social gatherings, and advising Texans to avoid eating or drinking at bars and restaurants.

It is clear that these social distancing strategies are working. That is why this week I issued another Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols, which extend and expand these social distancing strategies throughout the state of Texas.

In short, Texans are expected to limit personal interaction that can lead to the spread of COVID-19, while also still having the freedom to conduct essential daily activities such as going to the grocery store.

I urge all Texans to stay at home over the next month unless you are engaging in essential services or activities.

For more info on what constitutes “Essential Services” click here.

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DRIVE-THRU TESTING SITES NOW AVAILABLE FOR COVID-19

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Drive-thru testing is now available in nearly a dozen cities in Texas. This action is in part with our efforts to expand testing capabilities across the state to combat COVID-19.

Additionally, the National Guard is now assisting in our efforts at these drive-thru locations

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alongside our brave medical professionals.

The swift action our local partners are taking across the state will benefit public health and safety in our communities.



WATCH: HOW DRIVE-THROUGH TESTING WORKS

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EXPANDING HOSPITAL CAPACITY ACROSS THE STATE

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Texas doubled hospital bed availability in just this past week as we continue to respond to COVID-19.

The Texas Military Department is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify and eqip locations to serve as health care facilities to expand care capacity in communities across Texas.

The first of these sites will be the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

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While hospitals will remain the primary location to treat and care for patients, we are ensuring Texas is prepared for any possible scenario.



ISSUING NEW EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO FURTHER PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY

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Last week I issued an Executive Order

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mandating a self-quarantine of 14 days for individuals traveling to Texas as their final destination through an airport from the Tri-State Area of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut as well as the city of New Orleans.

This week I issued an additional Executive Order

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to expand mandatory 14-day self- quarantines to include road travelers arriving in Texas from Louisiana.

I also issued a proclamation expanding mandatory quarantines for air travelers arriving from California, Louisiana, Washington, Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), Detroit (MI), and Miami (FL).

This mandated quarantine will not apply to travel related to commercial activity, military service, emergency response, health response, or critical infrastructure functions.



SUPPLY CHAIN STRIKE FORCE

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Last week I announced the creation of a temporary Supply Chain Strike Force. This Strike Force is working with public and private sector partners to ensure health care facilities have the supplies and resources they need to respond to COVID-19.

In addition to working with the federal government and businesses to secure necessary personal protective equipment, the team will work to ensure day-to-day resources (including food) are available for Texas’ medical personnel, first responders, and those who have contracted COVID-19.



UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE

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I have waived the 10 day investigation period for individuals applying for unemployment benefits during this time. For more information on this click HERE.

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I also sent a request to the Department of Labor for access to Title XII funds

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to pay unemployment claims and accelerate the release of funds from the federal Unemployment Trust Fund.

The Texas Workforce Commision is committed to ensuring Texans who are eligible receive these funds.



FAST-TRACKING TEMPORARY LICENSING OF OUT-OF-STATE DOCTORS, ASSISTANTS, AND NURSES

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We directed the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Board of Nursing to fast-track temporary licensing of out-of-state medical professionals to assist in Texas’ response to COVID-19.

By instituting this measure, Texas will have an increased supply of health care professionals who will be able to provide necessary in-person and telemedicine services as we mitigate the spread of COVID-19.



WAIVING CERTAIN REGULATIONS AND FEES FOR OUR NURSES

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Nurses are essential to protecting the public health and safety of our communities as we combat the COVID-19 virus.

With these temporary waivers, nurses in Texas can continue caring for patients without worrying about potential delays or barriers imposed by the licensing renewal process.

We are grateful for the nurses serving throughout our state, and Texas is committed to ensuring they have the resources and support they need to do their jobs as we face this public health emergency.



TEXAS DPS TEMPORARILY EXTENDS EXPIRED DRIVER’S LICENSES DURING DECLARATION OF DISASTER

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Texas DPS temporarily extended expired driver licenses and ID cards during the statewide declaration in response to COVID-19.

By temporarily delaying driver license renewals, we will help limit non-essential trips into public settings and slow the spread of this virus.



PRESIDENT TRUMP APPROVES MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR TEXAS

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President Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas last week.

The President’s declaration opens up new sources of funding for individual and public assistance that will help Texas respond to this public health emergency and protect public health and safety.



IF CORONAVIRUS IS AFFECTING YOUR BUSINESS, YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOAN

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At a time when small businesses are hurting from the economic impact of COVID-19, we are committed to helping these businesses receive the financial relief they need to continue operating.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has implemented a declaration for Texas to provide SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for the entire state of Texas.

See if your business qualifies for these loans HERE.

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WAIVING CERTAIN REGULATIONS TO ALLOW DELIVERY OF ALCOHOL FROM RESTAURANTS TO SUPPORT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

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Restaurants in Texas can now deliver certain alcoholic beverages with food purchases to customers.

In response to COVID-19, I issued these waivers to allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing.



RESTAURANTS CAN SELL BULK RETAIL PRODUCT FROM DISTRIBUTORS TO THE PUBLIC

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A vital part of our COVID-19 response is to ensure that there are readily available supplies of food and resources, whether that is at grocery stores or, in this case, restaurants.

Help keep our restaurants open and their employees working by using them as a source for your food needs during this time.



TRUCKS FROM THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY MAY NOW HELP DELIVER GROCERY SUPPLIES

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Allowing trucks from the alcohol industry deliver supplies to grocery stores provides grocers with another private sector option to keep their shelves stocked.

By waiving these regulations, we are streamlining the process to replenish the shelves across the state quickly and efficiently with the supplies we have that meet the needs of Texans.



WAIVING TRUCKING REGULATIONS TO HELP STORES RESTOCK SHELVES

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To help stores restock after supply shortages due to COVID-19 concerns, we have waived certain trucking regulations.

These regulations will improve our ability to deliver the necessary supplies throughout the state so that grocers and retailers are able to continually stock their shelves.

A huge thank you to our truckers who are serving our communities across the state to ensure Texans have the supplies they need.



THANK YOU TEXAS

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We are grateful to our fellow Texans and private sector partners who are offering help to respond to the coronavirus.

Some examples include Home Depot donating 15,000 medical masks

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to the Dallas Police Department, Mattress Mack providing meals to Houston-area seniors

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, and Desert Door Distillery developing their own hand sanitizer

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to distribute to our first responders and health care providers.

If you are interested in donating, selling supplies, or volunteering during the COVID-19 response, click HERE.

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST - HELPFUL LINKS ON COVID-19

gov.texas.gov/coronavirustexas

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texas.gov/#covid19

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dshs.texas.gov/Coronavirus/

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tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/

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hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19

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