Gov. Greg Abbott is declaring a “state of disaster” over coronavirus disease 2019, and announced that the state on Friday opened a drive-through testing center in San Antonio, with ones to follow soon in Dallas, Houston and Austin.
Under state law , in such a disaster, Abbott becomes “commander in chief of state agencies, boards, and commissions having emergency responsibilities.”
As he did with the four drive-through testing centers, the governor can direct supplies, equipment, materials and facilities to mitigate the disaster.
Abbott also is directing state health care regulatory agencies to tell nursing homes, assisted living centers and hospitals to restrict visitation.
While he did by executive order ban mass gatherings, Abbott strongly discouraged large meetings until public health officials have a better grasp of how many Texans have contracted COVID – 19 or are at risk of doing so.
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