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Keeping track of county and state workplace restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has required diligence by Houston area businesses this summer.

In a 15-day span four different mandates, from Harris County or the state of Texas, took effect:

These restrictions are in addition to advisories issued such as Harris County’s color-coded, current threat system which was implemented in June and is at “Current Level 1: Stay Home”.

While this level asks residents to “take action to minimize contacts with others wherever possible and avoid leaving home except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine,” it is not a mandate.

Harris County Rules for Businesses

Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo ordered businesses on June 19 to develop, post and implement a “health and safety policy” which included use of face coverings for employees or visitors when in close proximity.

Businesses must post their “health and safety policy” in a conspicuous location. Failure to implement the policy could result in a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.

Hidalgo extended these restrictions on June 30 until Aug. 26.

Texas Occupancy Limits

Texas announced on June 25 a partial rollback on reopening the state.

Restaurants, had to dial back from 75 percent to 50 percent occupancy, and bars, any establishments with 51 percent of more from alcohol sales, had to close except for pick-up and delivery. Commercial rafting and tubing services were shut down. All non-essential businesses had to continue to operate at no more than 50 percent of occupancy.

Exceptions to this executive order included:

  • religious services
  • local government operations
  • child-care services and youth camps
  • recreational sports programs

The 50 percent occupancy limit did not apply to establishments which can maintain six feet of social distancing between workstations, such as:

  • Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons/shops, massage establishments, cosmetology salons, tanning salons, piercing studios, tattoo studios, hair removal services, and hair loss treatment and growth services

Businesses in counties with 20 or fewer active COVID-19 cases could operate at 75 percent of occupancy.

Texas Mandates Face Coverings

On July 3 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring Texans, over the age of 10, to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The Governor also gave county judges and mayors the ability to impose restrictions on outdoor gatherings of over 10 people.

Exceptions to the state-wide face covering mandate include activities such as eating, drinking, exercising outdoors, driving alone, swimming, voting, and attending religious services. No arrests or jail time can be given for violations of the face covering mandate with the first offense a warning and subsequent violations of up to a $250 fine.

Harris County issued an order the same day as this executive order, restricting outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people, with exceptions such as religious services, day-care and youth camps. Other counties, such as Montgomery County, have indicated they will not enforce the state face covering mandate, and will not restrict outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people.

Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

Despite state and county restrictions many businesses in the Houston area can continue to operate normally as industries such as oil and gas and healthcare are deemed essential critical workforce.

Both Texas and Harris County identify essential businesses as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency publican, “Guidance on Essential Critical Workforce”.

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