SAN ANTONIO – Texas Governor Greg Abbott is urging Texans to continue following social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has surged in the past two weeks.
Abbott discussed the state’s response during KSAT’s Q and A segment on Monday.
“All of these metrics — hospitalizations, the positivity rate and the number of people testing positive — they’ve all pretty much doubled since the latter to middle part of May,” Abbott said. “People need to understand COVID-19 is spreading far faster.”
Despite the rise, Abbott has not added any restrictions to the state’s reopening efforts. During a news conference on Monday, he said closing businesses would be a last resort.
Instead, Abbott said he is counting on Texans to adhere to distancing guidelines and wear masks when they’re around other people. He also said the state’s increased enforcement on bars should help slow the spread.
“If the voluntary participation or the types of established rules in San Antonio don’t bend the curve, if the crackdown on the bars or other places where there’s overcrowding, if they don’t help bend the curve, then yes, stiffer measures will be required,” Abbott said.